Former President Donald Trump has recently expressed his desire to resume the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, urging the company responsible for the project to “come back to America and get it built — NOW!” During a speech, Trump criticized the Biden administration for terminating the pipeline’s construction, claiming it was a clear sign of incompetence. He promised that under his leadership, the process would be much smoother and quicker, emphasizing the need for the pipeline to finally be completed.
The Keystone XL Pipeline has been a subject of political contention since its construction began in 2010 and was halted by President Barack Obama. Trump had revitalized the project during his presidency, highlighting its potential benefits. He noted that if the original company is not willing to take on the project, he is open to allowing another company to step in.
The pipeline was decisively halted by Biden on his first day in office, leading to the loss of thousands of jobs. TC Energy, the company behind the project, eventually abandoned it in June 2021 due to the revoked federal permits. A recent federal court decision also dismissed a legal challenge from multiple states aiming to reinstate those permits.
The Keystone XL was projected to transport up to 830,000 barrels of crude oil daily from Canada to the United States, linking to an existing pipeline network. This project was expected to yield significant economic benefits and create thousands of jobs, particularly union positions, contributing an estimated $3.4 to $9.6 billion to the economy.
Daniel Turner from Power the Future highlighted that Biden’s decision cost tens of thousands of jobs and added financial burden to American families. The pipeline was designed to provide oil to states like Illinois, Texas, and Oklahoma, bolstering North American energy independence.
Recently, Alberta’s Premier, Danielle Smith, voiced interest in discussing the potential for reopening the Keystone XL project with Trump. Experts suggest that reviving the pipeline aligns with Trump’s goals of lowering energy costs and strengthening North American energy infrastructure. However, should he pursue this path, he may face legal obstacles, although Congress could play a role in mitigating such issues.
In light of this ongoing discussion, there is renewed hope among supporters of the pipeline that it might finally come to fruition under a different administration focused on American energy independence and job creation.
