Completion of the Keystone XL Pipeline

The proposed 1,179 mile, Keystone XL Pipeline was initially put forth in 2008 and has been called, “a toll road for the transportation of Canadian oil”. The plan was for the pipeline originating in Alberta, Canada to connect with U.S. pipelines located in southern Nebraska. Ultimately, the pipeline would create a link between Canadian oil sands and Gulf Coast oil refineries. Controversy regarding this oil transportation infrastructure has been on the forefront of the minds of politicians, environmentalists, as well as Canadian and domestic oil companies. The issues at large ranged from job creation to potential environmental damage by way of groundwater contamination. In January 2015, by a 62-36 vote, the U.S. Senate approved legislation to expedite the construction of the pipeline, which would have allowed the project’s owner, TransCanada Corporation, to move forward. At that time, Senate Republicans said that passing the bill was a priority. However, in November 2015, after years of examination, it was decisively struck down by President Obama. In January 2017, when Donald Trump was sworn in to office as President, he emphasized the completion of the pipeline’s unfinished stretch (Phase IV).

Your assignment, putting politics aside, is to classify and clarify at least (2) arguments against the completion of the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would justify prohibiting or restricting its creation OR conversely, classify and clarify at least (2) arguments that may be used in favor of completing the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would defend and justify its existence.

around 300 words, simple english