There is lots of talk in Congress and in South Dakota about the Keystone XL Pipeline. Some are for it. Some are not. But if built it would run right through South Dakota. Oil would flow from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and then be exported around the world.

If they want to run it through your backyard you have no choice. Except it or move out.

They would have a 50 foot wide easement on either side of the pipe with a 'kill zone" around the pipe due to hot product running down the pipe up to 158 degrees at 1,600 pounds of pressure per square inch.

If a small rupture would occur it would be with enough force to cut a man in half.

What happens if there is a pipeline oil spill in South Dakota?

It would be difficult to clean up the sticky tar sand. When tar sand comes into contact with water it begins to separate, leaving the heaviest, thickest product on the bottom. Meanwhile, benzene and other airborne toxins are lifted to the surface of the water and evaporate into the atmosphere, directly threatening human life.

Here's the interesting thing that Congressional lawmakers have put into the bill. If TransCanada spills tar sand oil all over South Dakota or any other state in the United States, TransCanada wouldn't have to pay a penny for the clean up. TransCanada doesn’t have to contribute to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to cover the cost of a potential spill, as other pipeline companies do. This amounts to a $24 million-a-year tax break for TransCanada from the congressmen writing the bill.

Let's clarify, TransCanada, the company that is now the sole owner of the Keystone XL pipeline and stands to make billions of dollars on the project, will not be required to pay into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. The Fund was created 25 years ago after the Exxon Valdez oil spill to help relieve taxpayers of the burden of cleanup.

But again, if TransCanada screws up they are off the hook.  Does that seem fair?

[Sources: Congressman John Garamendi, texasvox.org, htrnews.com]

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