Activists oppose Keystone XL Pipeline through Oklahoma

The Keystone XL transcontinental oil pipeline is being built to efficiently transport oil from Canada to Texas, and it will run right through Oklahoma.

Native Oklahoman activist Stefan Warner is not happy that the pipeline will be traveling through his home state. He has been jailed multiple times for protesting pipeline operations, and he shows no signs of backing down anytime soon.

While the transport of oil into Oklahoma isn’t new, the completion of this pipeline will streamline operations and cause an increase of oil brought in from Alberta’s sands into the area.

Construction on the pipeline has been ongoing, but a permit to complete the southern leg was recently denied. Warner is hoping to help ensure that the pipeline doesn’t cross Oklahoma, and he isn’t the only one willing to put his name on the line to prevent the completion of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Many others have voiced concerns over the project, including Tom Steyer, a partner at Hellman & Friedman in San Francisco. While Stefan Warner doesn’t have a lot of political clout, Tom Steyer manages 8 billion dollars through his equity firm. He also was a major fundraising support during President Obama’s political campaigns.

TransCanada Corp, who is responsible for the Keystone XL project, disagrees with the concerns raised by activists and environmentalists. They have offered repeated assurance and commitment to making the Keystone XL pipeline one of the safest most reliable oil pipelines in the world. With billions of dollars invested to make the project a success, they have every reason to keep it that way.

The vocal opposition to the project from the likes of Warner and Steyer stems from a misdirected environmental concern. The crude oil and bitumen they are protesting will more than likely be transported through the area whether or not the Keystone XL project is completed. The pipeline that is intended to run through Oklahoma simply makes that transport more efficient.

The Keystone XL pipeline is expected to continue construction by mid summer, barring any political complications. Successful completion of the pipeline will help pump billions of dollars of value into the economy. And Oklahoma stands to benefit as much as anywhere else on the route.

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