The southernmost portion of the TransCanada Corporation owned Keystone XL pipeline began transporting crude oil from Cushing, Oklahoma, to Nederland, Texas, on January 22. The Gulf Coast Pipeline (GCP) currently has the capacity to move 700,000 barrels a day with the ability to expand up to 830,000 barrels per day.

According to TransCanada CEO Russ Girling, the GCP connects “probably the most important oil hub on this continent (in Cushing, OK) and the world’s most efficient refiners in the U.S. Gulf Coast.” TransCanada’s eventual goals are to continue the pipeline to Alberta in order to transport diluted bitumen and oil to Texas refineries.

Some environmental groups and climate activists consider the fight over the Keystone XL to be vital in protecting Earth’s climate. Although groups such as Tar Sands Blockade have failed in efforts to stop the construction of the GCP, several landowners (Public Citizen Report, p. 9) are in the midst of litigation. Some citizens will be monitoring sections of pipe that run through their property and documenting leaks if they occur.

The Obama Administration delayed a decision on the Keystone XL project as a whole in 2011, and has yet to give approval to the construction of its northern portion.

Source: EnergyWire, Public Citizen Report, Tarsands Blockade website