Case Study: The Northern Gateway Pipeline Project

Proposed in the mid-2000’s, the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline would send crude oil from just outside of Edmonton, Alberta to ports in Kitimat, British Columbia. From there it would be loaded onto tankers and shipped to countries in Asia. The Energy East Pipeline was proposed in 2013 and would send the oil towards New Brunswick and possibly Quebec. While theoretically this seems like an ideal way to quickly and efficiently ship large amounts of crude oil across the country to facilitate large amounts of trade and boost the economy, these pipelines have been the subject of massive controversy from a large number of groups. In this essay, I will briefly highlight the regional and national controversies, as well as backlash from interest groups and party politicians, who have opposed the pipelines for unique, broad, and irrefutable reasons.

The Keystone Pipeline is a crude oil pipeline that runs from Canada to the United States. The original pipeline goes through most of Canada before crossing over the border into the United States, running its way down into Illinois. The proposed Keystone XL pipeline extension provides a blueprint for the extension to go from the origin point in Alberta through the American prairie states into Nebraska connecting into the original pipeline and adding a new line going from the original pipeline in southern Nebraska into Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. Although the Keystone Pipeline provides a great service for the United States and Canada for the transportation of oil, there are some

The state of North Dakota wants to construct an “1,172-mile Dakota Access oil pipeline , which would run within a half-mile of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation and cross beneath the Missouri River.” One side of this is that it should be constructed and it will be good for the state and it will benefit them. The other side is that it shouldn't be built because it will effect are drinking water and the construction will be desping humans that are around their. Also they believe that animals around the area will be affected and it will disturb them and have a huge impact on them. People have been protesting this construction for several day and they even stayed out there during a harsh blizzard to still protest against the construction of the access oil

An old Sioux prophecy once stated that a black snake will cross the great Sioux land. The black snake would come at a great time of uncertainty and destroy the world as we know it. It also states the only way to stop this black snake is for the youth to come together and stop it. Many protestors, commonly referred as water protectors, believe this black snake has arrived in the form of the Dakota Access Pipeline. In the beginning of the year 2016 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a draft of it plan to approve the Dakota Access Pipeline route under the Missouri River. This has sparked controversy between the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and the company building the pipeline, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners. This has led to many Native American gathering in protest against the pipeline.

In February 9, 2005, the TransCanada proposed a pipeline system that would be able to transport crude oil from Canada into the United States. The pipeline was given the name the Keystone Pipeline System. Originally, the pipeline was to run from Alberta, Canada to refineries in Illinois. However, in 2008 another proposition was raised in order to extend the pipeline even further to down to Texas. The proposition is known as the Keystone XL. The possible construction of the pipeline is a controversial topic. Entrepreneurs believe that such a pipeline will stimulate the nation's economy and lead to an increase in the amount of jobs. On the other side, environmentalists believe that the pipeline will be detrimental for the environment as the

At Standing Rock Sioux Reservation multiple Native American tribes are protesting the construction of the North Dakota Pipeline. The North Dakota Pipeline could be very beneficial for moving oil in a safer and more cost effective manner, but it could also cause irreparable harm to the environment and communities surrounding it. Even though there are benefits to the construction of the pipeline, it would cause more destruction than being a system improvement.

Please accept this letter of request to represent my voice in parliament in opposition to the approval of the proposed Canada East Pipeline through the Nipissing/Temiskaming District. Over the last three years I attended many sessions and held discussions with proponents representing their various views/opinions either in support or opposition of this proposal. I’ve conducted my own investigation and research which is suited to my professional experience in such undertakings. In addition, I have had the opportunity to work as an environmental consultant with TransCanada Pipeline on their right-away in many locations in northern and southern Ontario. There are a few of the key elements I wish to summarize for you, from which I have drawn

Oil is a significant essential in this society because it runs automobiles such as cars, buses, truck etc. Without oil, transportation, business and economic trade wouldn’t be possible. “The Dakota Access Pipeline Project is a $3.78 billion conduit being built from the oil-rich Bakken fields in North Dakota. .transport up to 570,000 barrels a day of crude to refineries and markets in the Gulf and on the East Coast” (Ablow). The Dakota Access Pipeline is funded by Energy Transfer Partners. They believe that will have a huge impact on the economic state of the United States because it will “bring an estimated $156 million in sales and income taxes to state and local governments as well as add 8,000 to 12,000 construction jobs”(Park). With over 10,000 of jobs and $150 million dollars that would bring into this country, The Dakota Access Pipeline is a project that is beneficial to the local and national economy of the country. “In addition, the Dakota Access Pipeline will improve overall safety to the public and environment. It will reduce crude oil shipped by truck and by rail and increase the amount shipped by pipeline” (Energy Transfers). Minimizing the trucks in delivering oil will help to prevent global warming and climate change. After the pipeline was approved by the government, The members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe protested near the construction of The Dakota Access Pipeline. The tribe members are deeply against the project because it would damage their

With recent event the Obama’s Administration has halted the further construction of the North Dakota Access pipeline. This event have sparked the nation into an uprise in protests and public speaking against North Dakota Access. Now thrusted out onto a global stage, the struggle on both sides intensifies either is not going to stand down. The people of Standing Rock Indian Reservation are protesting against North Dakota Access to continue construction of the “North Dakota Access Pipeline”. Additionally the Army Corps of Engineers has denied the permit that allows construction underneath the Mississippi and Missouri River. These events have now escalated to national attention. It is not in the public safety or well being to have further construction or completion of the North Dakota Access Pipeline should it have negative environmental impacts and be harmful to the American people. ("Federal Government Halts Construction Of Part Of North Dakota Pipeline.")

In the October of 2015, oil prices have dropped to their lowest since 2008 and Canada has lost over 35,000 jobs, and the value of the loonie has dropped to a mere 77 cents compared to the U.S. Dollar. As Canada desperately clings onto the failing economy, it turns its attention to The Keystone Pipelines. The Keystone XL (KXL) pipeline was an idea proposed in 2008 by the TransCanada energy company, to deliver 830,000 barrels of oil each day beginning in Hardisty, Alberta, and extending south to Steele City, Nebraska. TransCanada claims to bring more jobs, energy security, and benefit to the Canadian and American economy. Yet, President Obama denied the proposal in 2015. Although it was a huge disappointment to Canada, the decision to deny permission for further construction of the pipeline was the right one. The future of Canada’s economy should not rely on the Keystone XL pipeline, because the devastating environmental risks, the instability of the oil industry, and Canada’s ability to expand other industries.

The Keystone XL Pipeline is a 1,897 km, 36-inch-diameter pipeline that exports crude oil from Hardisty Alberta to Steele City Nebraska. Crude oil also known as fossil fuel is a non-renewable, unrefined petroleum made up of hydrocarbon deposits and other organic materials [1]. It can be refined to make products like gasoline, diesel and other petroleum based products. The crude oil is obtained from oil sands in the small town of Hardisty in Alberta to be refined in Steele City Nebraska. The Keystone XL was first developed by th TransCanada Corp. and ConocoPhillips as co-owners of the Keystone Pipeline proposed to create another branch of the pipeline which would enable it to export a large amount of oil sands and be known as the Keystone XL

The North Dakota Access Pipeline was proposed on December 22, 2014 and approved on January 2016. The Pipeline is a project that will transport 470,000 to 570,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The pipe will run from the fields of North Dakota to a storage facility in Illinois. Being only 1,172 miles long and 12 to 30 inches in diameter, the pipeline is stated to improve the transportation of crude oil and decrease the use of rail and truck transportation. The problem did not arise until April 1, 2016 when the United States Army Corps of Engineers had planned the pipeline to cross the reservation land of The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. As a result, the pipeline has not crossed the land because protestors will not allow for the workers to complete their job. The pipeline will be a danger to the water source the tribe relies on and it needs to be modified so they can be safe.

Nearly fourteen years ago, the Calgary-based oil enterprise "Enbridge" announced its most controversial project yet; to build a $6.5-billion oil-duct from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia (Canadian Press, 2013, para. 1). It was to be named the "Northern Gateway Pipeline”.Enbridge 's preliminary announcement on the sixth of March, 2002, not only divided the province of British Columbia on whether environmental or economic prosperity was more important, but the country of Canada as a whole. Although the name "Northern Gateway" is well-known in many Western-Canadian households, few truly know the details of what this project entails. Many environmentalists and economists (Mortillara, Nicole, Global News, 2014) debate the benefits and the negative-impacts that this pipeline will have on Canadians and Canadian society. Others, though, are trying to understand what steps are being taken to ensure environmental sustainability during construction, and for the many years after its projected completion.This multi-billion dollar project has many vocal opposers, and a seemingly equal amount of environmental risks that accompanies it, all adding up to the general consensus that this duct is not worth the economic benefits that it would produce.

These factors result in several issues and challenges. These matters have brought a conflict between the various stakeholders in this industry (Oilsandstruth.org, 2015). This discussion aims to identify the primary issues associated with the Canada oil sands and the involved stakeholders. Secondly, the stakeholders’ political view will be established. Finally, the discussion will recommend policies that can be effective in solving the challenges associated with the issues.

What is the Dakota Access Pipeline? The Dakota Access Pipeline is a 1,172 mile underground state of the art 30” pipeline extending from the Bakken/Three Forks production area in North Dakota to Pakota, Illinois. The pipeline will transfer oil from North Dakota to other refining markets. The pipeline will run underground and has passed federal safety requirements. They claim the pipeline is safer than most modes of transportations and will be very beneficial for Americans.