Alec White Keystone XL (Tar Sands Pipeline)

What is Keystone XL?

•        A proposal for an oil piepline spanning from northern Alberta to Texas.

•        More than 2,000 miles long

•        Alberta’s Oil Production:

•        Athabasca oil sands of North Alberta.

•        First drilled in 1967

•        Now about 1.1 million barrels a day.

Arguments supporting Keystone XL:

•        Construction will create 13,000 jobs.

•        It will give Texas refineries more oil.

•        It will reduce the U.S’s dependence on foreign oil.

Arguments Against Keystone XL:

•        A spill will ruin drinking water for 2 million people.

•        Will actually increase gas prices in the United States.

•        Will help fuel global warming.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGFjIhl50SA

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNpQ2nTUYkU

Discussion Questions:

•        1. Do you support or oppose Keystone XL? Why?

•        2. How harmful would the effects be if it leaked?

•        3. Should the U.S focus on finding more oil or new energy sources (wind power, ethanol etc.?)

Bibliography:

•        http://www.tarsandsaction.org/spread-the-word/key-facts-keystone-xl/

•        http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html