Oil Sands and the Keystone XL Pipeline : Background and Selected Environmental Issues

Author / Creator

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service. Resources, Science, and Industry Division

Available as

Online

Summary

This report is one in a series of updates. For the most recent coverage of this report series, please see 12-R4-2611 in the 2012 issue. Addresses selected environmental concerns raised in conjuncti...

This report is one in a series of updates. For the most recent coverage of this report series, please see 12-R4-2611 in the 2012 issue.

Addresses selected environmental concerns raised in conjunction with the proposed pipeline and the oil sands crude it will transport. Discusses oil sands by addressing what oil sands are, how they are extracted, and how oil sands crude oils compare to other crude oils. Provides overview of Keystone XL pipeline project, and discusses Federal requirements to consider environmental impacts from the pipeline, including Department of State national interest determination, obligations pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, and list of recent milestones in the national interest determination process. Provides information about other international oil pipelines, and reviews selected environmental issues, including greenhouse gas emissions intensity, broader energy policy concerns, pipeline oil spill risks, and two oil sands extraction concerns, land disturbance and water resources.

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