Keystone Pipeline Leaks Again

The Keystone Pipeline, not to be confused with the canceled Keystone XL pipeline, has had a major spill three times in the last five years.  The latest occurred on December 7th of last year when the pipeline that transverses western Canada and the United States spilled 14,000 barrels of tarsand oil into Washington County, Kansas  Mill Creek.  It was the largest terrestrial oil spill in nearly a decade, and the largest for the pipeline since began operating in 2010.  A Nebraska farm advocate told interviewers that pipelines impose an uneven relationship on landowners calling it a "tremendous burden" in which land is taken by eminent domain and a lifelong easement imposed for access so oil companies can make a profit.  The spill affected surrounding crop fields, destroying the topsoil perhaps permanently.

Keystone was hailed as the "safest pipeline every built" during the push for approval of the bigger Keystone XL.  Tribes and environmental activists were eventually successful in getting the pipeline cancelled by the Biden administration after protesting through two previous administrations.  Keystone caries bitumen mixed with gas to make it flow.  Bitumen, a tar-like substance,  is particularly long lasting when it escapes into the environment.  Wildlife ingests the remains, leading to chronic health impacts. Owner, TC Energy, has only paid $300,000 in fines for its previous twenty-two oil spills, even though the property damage far outweighs that fine amount. [photo credit: Reuters]

Some critics call the Keystone a "lemon" due to its chronic failures, pointing to the possible use of substandard steel during the pipeline construction boom between 2007 and 2009.  One manufacturer linked to the Keystone pipeline was included in a 2010 report on pipeline construction using substandard material.  Owner TC Energy was repeatedly warned by federal regulators about corrosion control problems that took years to correct.  The GAO noted in a recent report that the company's safety record has been deteriorating and identified "construction issues".  Pipeline companies treat fines as operating expense that are passed on to consumers, if not compensated by insurance, since all pipelines leak over their operating life.  But that fact does not help landowners or wildlife who habitats are destroyed.  The company claims 6,973 barrels of oil have been recovered so far in cleanup operations.