Keystone Pipeline reaches fifth-year anniversary

Keystone Pipeline reaches fifth-year anniversary

In June, the Legion-supported Keystone Pipeline System marked the fifth-year anniversary of its original commission date. Completed in June of 2010, "Phase I" of the oil pipeline system originates in Alberta, Canada, runs through Montana, junctions in Steele City, Neb., and culminates in Wood River, Ill.

"Phase II" of the system, completed in 2011, provides an alternate destination for oil orginating in Alberta, flowing from Steele City to Cushing, Okla. And "Phase III" provides an alternate flow route from Hardisty, Alberta, through southern Canada and the Dakotas, and then to Steele City.

It's estimated that the system has delivered 600,000 barrels of Canadian crude oil to American refineries since June of 2010.

However, a proposed addition to the system has been stuck in legislative limbo since February. "Phase 4," or the Keystone XL pipeline as it has been dubbed, would provide an alternate route from Alberta to Steele City, combining Canadian crude with light crude oil from basins in Montana and North Dakota.

After approvals from the House and Senate, President Obama vetoed the bill in February to authorize construction of the Keystone XL, and the bill failed to reach a two-thirds majority in the Senate to override the veto. The law, and the Keystone XL project, is currently under review by the Department of State.

If approved, it's estimated that the Keystone XL would create 42,000 jobs and $3.4 million in U.S. gross domestic product growth.

The Legion supports development of domestic energy resources as a means of ending reliance on foreign oil through Resolution No. 288, passed at the Legion's 2014 national convention. The Legion also specifically supports the Keystone XL project through Resolution No. 273, also passed at 2014 national convention