The Keystone Pipeline, which is associated with the TransCanada corporation, is proposed to cross America to transport Tar Sands Oil from Alberta Canada to Texas.
From Texas it will be shipped to China and other countries.
There are oil pipelines everywhere in this country. There are also a lot of oil spills. So why is this one gaining so much attention?
The first reason why this specific pipeline has attracted so much ire from environmentalists and media is because of what it will be transporting.
It is not normal crude oil it is bitumen.
What is bitumen?
Bitumen is a heavy, viscous oil which has the consistency of peanut butter. In other words this sludge does not know how to flow in a pipeline. It requires diluents to create a product which can actually flow through a pipeline.
Well that seems reasonable right? What are the diluents?
Ummm, well, wish I could tell you but you see no one knows because these are considered “trade secrets.”
I figure if the diluents were good they wouldn’t have to be secret. That is just my thinking though.
There are suspicions that the mixture contains light crude oil, natural gas, as well as hazardous chemicals including hydrogen sulfide, benzene (a known human carcinogen), and toluene.
In fact the amount of crude oil which is required to dilute the bitumen is quite a load. In some cases they have to import 200 million barrels a day to dilute bitumen. Sounds like a “robbing Peter to pay Paul” scenario.
Kind of crazy isn’t it? You need oil to move oil and you have to import 200 million barrels of oil a day to move more oil to where you want it to go.
Got to love those oil companies don’t you? They will do anything to provide oil for us, or to pad their pockets with loads of cash while they poison our land and water.
I have a lot more to say but this is just a taste of the buffet.
Anyone who would like more information on Bitumen please click on the following link: http://www.notranscanadapipeline.com/what-is-bitumen
That is the source of information that I used for this post.
Thank you!
My understanding is, the pipeline would run through some of our most valuable water resources and America is increasingly short of water for human as well as agriculture needs.
A shorter route would be across Canada, which would seem a no brainer since it’s hauling Canadian crude, however, Canada has had so many problems with spills in similar pipelines that they don’t want another one through their country but they don’t mind if we pollute our country so they can make some money.
So true my friend. This is a very dangerous enemy which is lurking in our midst. I read yesterday that Obama is getting pressure to sink the pipeline but he is also trying to play the political game and may just push it aside for a while longer. I believe he is going to make the right decision but we need to continue to pressure the leaders to veto this possibility. Everything you say is true and I appreciate your comment.