Statement: Developer cancels Keystone XL pipeline project

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Controversial pipeline would have resulted in millions of tons of new carbon emissions

Environment America

WASHINGTON – TC Energy, the developer of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, has canceled the project. President Joe Biden revoked the project’s permit in January, putting an end to construction efforts on the oil line. The proposed Keystone XL pipeline would have run from tar sands in Canada through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. The plan had it set to perilously cross two major rivers. If completed, the pipeline would have disrupted sensitive ecosystems. Tar sands are one of the dirtiest polluting sources of oil on the planet. A spill in North Dakota in 2019 spread 400,000-gallons of tar sands oil onto a wetland. 

Experts from Environment America and PIRG issued the following statements:

Environment America Public Lands Director Ellen Montgomery said: 

“As the United States moves closer to a clean energy future, the writing is on the wall for dirty energy like tar sands oil. But part of this change must come with an end to these dangerous oil conduits. By stopping these projects and the inevitable spills that come with them, we ensure more clean water and safer areas for species like whooping cranes to flourish. Canceling this pipeline was the right decision, and we’re thrilled by this news.” 

PIRG Environment Campaigns Director Matt Casale said: 

“This is particularly welcome news as much of our country faces early season heat waves, and there are droughts that are intensifying just as wildfire season approaches. These increasingly frequent extreme weather events are the result of human-caused climate change and will only worsen if we continue our dangerous reliance on fossil fuels. The Keystone XL pipeline would have resulted in millions of tons of new carbon emissions, which would just add fuel to a fire that’s already burning down our house. We thank President Biden for halting this wrongheaded plan in January and are glad to see TC Energy are now terminating this project.”

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