President Trump Expected to Sign Executive Actions to Boost Oil Pipelines
President Donald Trump is expected to sign executive actions aimed at promoting the construction of more oil pipelines, a move that would likely benefit the fossil fuel industry. One proposal under consideration is the revival of the Keystone XL pipeline, which was canceled by the Biden administration in 2021.
According to sources, the Trump team is discussing the possibility of rerouting the pipeline through North Dakota instead of Montana, where it was previously planned to enter from Canada’s Alberta province. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who met with Trump last week, confirmed that this is one proposal being discussed between the two countries.
Smith emphasized the importance of increasing Canada’s energy production and exporting it to the United States, citing the country’s extensive pipeline network. However, energy lobbyists and some lawmakers have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of reviving the Keystone XL pipeline, given that TransCanada Energy, the pipeline’s operator, has already terminated the project.
The Keystone XL pipeline was proposed in 2008 as an extension of the existing Keystone pipeline, which carries crude oil from Alberta’s oilfields to the US. Canadian oil already makes up more than half of the imported crude oil processed by US refiners, and American refineries are well-suited to process the heavy and gunky oil from Canada.
However, environmental advocates have long opposed the Keystone XL pipeline due to concerns about pipeline leaks and the difficulty of cleaning up spills involving Canadian oil. The pipeline’s construction was also met with opposition from indigenous communities and environmental groups.
Despite the challenges, the Trump administration’s efforts to promote oil pipelines are likely to be met with resistance from environmental groups and some lawmakers. The move is seen as a step backward in the fight against climate change and a threat to the environment.