Industry officials, however, insist pipelines are the safest method of transporting crude oil.
The authors of the study compiled statistical data from spills in the completed portion of the pipeline between Alberta and Illinois.
The study found that since June 2010, that section experienced more than 35 spills in the U.S. and Canada. In its first year, the spill frequency for Keystone’s U.S. segment was 100 times higher than TransCanada’s forecast.
The authors say this data means a major spill for Keystone XL is a statistical certainty if the pipeline is operated over the next 50 years.
The study also argues that while the pipeline would be a boon for short-term temporary jobs, the project would destroy more jobs than it creates. Any major accidents in areas dependent on agriculture and tourism would likely cripple the local economy, it stated.
“If a major source of water was to become contaminated (from a spill), or became inaccessible due to clean-up operations, the damage would be considerable,” reads the study.
“In order to determine the full economic, employment, and social impacts of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline and similar pipelines, both the risks and their potential economic and social impacts should be given careful consideration.”
The grim predictions in the study have not convinced everyone, though. According to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), pipelines are North America’s best bet at retaining a constant and reliable source of oil.
“At any given day, there’s 80 million barrels of oil being transported somehow around the world,” said Travis Davies, a spokesperson for CAPP. “
“As opposed to, say, trucks or rail, pipelines have failsafe systems, ways to limit or shut off the flow of oil in the event of an emergency. I’d argue that it’s actually the safest method of moving crude as opposed to trucks or rail.”
Original Article
Source: toronto sun
Author: Vincent McDermott
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