Trans Mountain Pipeline Must Move Forward
Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau approved a major expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline – nearly tripling the current capacity of the existing line and helping open new markets for crude processed from oil sands in Alberta. The $5.4 billion USD project will run some 700 miles from Alberta to Burnaby, B.C.
Opponents of the project continue to press on – despite Trudeau’s commitment that economic growth and strong environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand. While a vocal minority has expressed opposition – the expansion’s approval was celebrated by many in Alberta – where oil-sand production of bitumen is a critical part of the local economy.
It was also recently reported that Canadian crude-by-rail exports surged 40 percent in April over the previous month. Once completed, the Trans Mountain Pipeline will help alleviate crowded rail routes by transporting oil to the United States. In fact, 99% of Canada’s oil is now shipped to the US. Pipelines are the safest, most efficient method of transporting oil products. In addition – it’s more expensive to transport oil by rail than by pipeline – a cost that often falls on American consumers.
