U.S. Policy on Energy - Term Paper Example

U.S policy on energy Executive summary The policy paper is addressed to the U.S congress which is the ity which can approve the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The Congress should be aware that the planned pipeline will change the livelihoods of many US citizens since it will pass through main rivers which supply safe drinking water and agricultural water to farmers. There is high likelihood of the pipeline spillage which can lead to damage to the ecosystem. The pipeline will increase the pollution levels in the refineries. The pipeline will also increase the tar sands oils toxic to the rivers hence there will be high instances of diseases like cancer. Currently, the U.S energy policy has allowed Canada to ship oil to main refineries to the U.S. Several options of energy sources to the U.S which include hydroelectric power, coal power, geothermal power and importation of crude oil from Canada. Hydroelectric and geothermal energy is more environmentally friendly and cheap to produce since it is a sustainable source. Coal power may be damaging to the environment but it is cheap to exploit. Biodiesels energy is friendly to ecosystem but may not meet the U.S energy demands. The U.S government should invest in hydroelectric energy and geothermal energy and stop the plans of building the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada. Hydroelectric energy is more reliable since the US has many rivers and dams. Geothermal power is sustainable in the long run. Statement of the purpose The US $ 13 billion keystone pipeline system will play a critical role in linking Canadian crude oil suppliers with the largest refining markets in the US. However, there have been public concerns on the dirty sand oil emissions which may damage the ecosystem. The proposed keystone Gulf Coast Expansion project is approximate 1661 mile, 36 inch crude oil pipeline that begins in Alberta and terminating in Texas after passing through Oklahoma. Introduction On Nov, 4th, 2011, TransCanada announced plans to support the proposed legislation within the State of Nebraska to move the key Keystone XL pipeline project forward. If passed, the legislation will see a pipeline route which avoids sand hills is developed. Nebraskans supports the development of the Keystone XL pipeline and at the same time TransCanada has announced that the Keystone XL route has changed and Nebraskans will play a key role in determining the final route (Friends of Earth 2). Cost benefit analysis of Keystone XL pipeline The benefits of Keystone XL are certain when approved. The pipeline remains the best option for producers to supply crude oil to US Gulf Coast refineries hence it has a strategic importance to the US economy. The US economy consumes 15 million barrels of oil each day and imports 10 to 11 million barrels per day. The industry forecasts indicate that crude oil demand in the US will increase over a period of the next three decades hence secure supply of oil is important in achieving US energy security. TransCanada has already set plans to contract more than 13,000 Americans to work on the construction of the pipeline which include pipefitters, welders, mechanics and electricians. Additional 7,000 jobs will be created in the manufacturing sector will local businesses along the pipeline will benefit from 118,000 occasional jobs which will lead to increase in demand for local goods and services (FOX NEWS.COM 2). Costs The pipeline would double the imports of dirty tar sands oil in to United States. Pollution from tar sands oil are higher than pollutions from conventional oil since the levels of carbon dioxide emissions are three times higher than those emitted by the conventional oils. The pipeline would add the climate-damaging emissions to the US (FOX NEWS.COM 3). Water waste During the tar sands oil extraction, vast water resources are required to separate the extracted product, bitumen, sand, silt, and clay. It takes three times amount of water to extract one unit of oil (Morton 4). Tar sands operations use approximately 400 million gallons of water a day. Large amounts of the used water which is contaminated is dumped in human made pools which contain toxic substances like ammonia which sometimes mix with the neighborhood clean water supply (Friends of Earth 1). Indegeneous population Northern Alberta is the home of indigenous communities with special traditions and cultural lifestyles. Communities in the downstream of the tailing ponds have suffered from real failure, rare cancers and other diseases hence the problem will get out of control when the pipeline is constructed (Friends of Earth 2). Pipeline spills TransCanada has attempted to seek a safety waiver by building the pipeline with thinner than normal steel and pump the oil at higher than normal pressures. The company has already withdrawn the safety waiver application. The threat of crude oil spills remains high since a million gallon of tar sand oils poured in to the Kalamazoo River in Michigan from the pipeline which was run by another Canadian company, Enbridge. The spills exposed the residents to toxic substances and caused long term damage to the ecosystem (PBS NEWSHOUR 3). Keystone XL pipeline would pass through six US states and major rivers including the Yellowstone, Red rivers and Missouri River which are key sources of safe drinking water and agricultural production like the Ogallala Aquifer which supplies more than 2 million Americans (Washington Post 4). Refining tar sands oils produce a lot of emissions since the oils are dirtier than conventional oils. Emissions such as sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide are responsible for acid rain ad smog which leads to respiratory diseases like asthma. Communities living near the refineries are mainly poor and have encountered a lot of air pollution hence Keystone XL pipeline would further exacerbate the heavy burden of pollution (Washington Post 2). (Source: Friends of Earth). Recommendations If Keystone XL which would run from Alberta to Texas, the pipeline would carry world’s dirtiest fuels which include tar sand oil which is devastating to the ecosystem and polluting hence jeopardizing public health. The U.S government should not go ahead with the Keystone XL pipeline construction hence should invest in other clean energy sources like Geothermal and hydroelectric energy. Bibliography FOX NEWS.COM. As Obama delays controversial Keystone oil pipeline, vast network of pipelines already in place. Viewed on 15th February, 2012 from http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/21/while-obama-delays-controversial- keystone-oil-pipeline-vast-network-energy/ Friends of Earth. Keystone XL pipeline viewed on 15th February, 2012 from http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline Morton, Joseph. Testy Pipeline (Keystone XL) debate expected amendment oil travelling through stays in USA. Viewed on 15th February, 2012 from http://www.democraticunderground.com/101446027 PBS NEWSHOUR. Environment, economy at heart of Keystone XL pipeline debate. Viewed on 15th February, 2012 from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/environment/july- dec11/pipeline_10- 10.html Washington Post. Keystone Pipeline debate heats up. Viewed on 15th February, 2012 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/keystone-pipeline-debate-heats- up/2011/11/04/gIQA824rpM_story.html Read More