By the map, Hardisty, Alberta is the intended Canadian starting point for the Keystone XL Pipeline, extending south to Steele City, Nebraska, and east to Patoka, Illinois. It’s a long route from point-to-pointe, and symbolizes the long delayed go-ahead that has been at play between the Canadian and USA government over the past several years. As any Canadian involved in the energy industry is aware, the pipeline’s construction is a critical project for Canada’s future energy economy. Safety from pipeline oil spills has been one of the main concerns against the project.
Recently an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was provided by the U.S. State Department in support of the Keystone Pipeline. The statement concludes that the Keystone pipeline is safe for the environment. There has been plenty of discussion about how ‘safe’ the proposed pipeline would be, and to compliment the results of the U.S. State Department (EIS), here is a list identifying the safety standards of the project, ensuring that safety is number one with the Keystone Pipeline:
Using satellite technology, the Keystone Pipeline will be monitored at 20,000 unique points along the length of the pipeline – ensuring that the pipeline’s operating conditions are stable.
Over fifty new safety procedures, voluntarily introduced by TransCanada Corporation, are meant to ensure public confidence for the Keystone pipeline’s monitoring and operations.
The new safety procedures include:
- Laying the pipe deeper underground
- Increasing the number of pipeline inspections
- Introducing a larger number of controlled shut-off valves.
“The incorporation of 57 special conditions would result in a project that would have a degree of safety over any other typically constructed domestic oil pipeline system under the current code”, stated The Department of State, Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
More safety details on the Keystone Pipeline can be found here: Keystone Pipeline Safety