Keystone XL on the Cusp

The record shows that pipelines are the safest way to transport oil.

WSJ editorial.

"More than 99.99% of oil moved by pipeline arrives at its destination safely. Compared to rail, pipelines are 2.5 times less likely to have an accident that results in an oil spill, the Fraser Institute concluded after assessing Canadian government data between 2004 and 2015. A Manhattan Institute report looked at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s annual accident data between 2007-2016. Per billion ton-miles, oil pipelines charted the lowest rate at 0.66. Railways came in at 2.20, and roads at 7.11.

South Dakota’s Keystone pipeline, where last week’s spill occurred, has safely delivered more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil since opening in June 2010. TransCanada had isolated the affected portion of pipeline within 15 minutes. South Dakota’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources said emergency precautions “seemed to work very well,” and the spill didn’t spoil surface or drinking water.

Federal and state governments have deemed these to be acceptable risks, especially given the enormous economic benefits. Keystone XL amounts to a shovel-ready, $8 billion investment in American infrastructure—without taxpayer money. Unfounded pipeline alarmism has stymied this project for years, and it would be a pity if such dishonest tactics succeeded again."