Ben Lefebvre, an energy reporter for POLITICO, dives into President-elect Trump's plan to revive the Keystone XL pipeline on day one of his presidency. He explores the controversial history of the pipeline and its fading relevance amid a shift towards electric vehicles and changing oil demand. The discussion also touches on a new bipartisan transmission rule and the setbacks faced during global climate talks, painting a complex picture of fossil fuel politics in today's climate-conscious world.
Trump's plan to revive the Keystone XL pipeline involves political motivations aimed at countering Biden's policies and job creation claims.
The revival faces significant challenges, including lack of company support, diminished infrastructure, and a more favorable domestic oil production landscape.
Deep dives
Trump's Keystone XL Revival Plan
Donald Trump aims to revive the Keystone XL oil pipeline, a project that has faced significant controversy over the years. Initially proposed to transport heavy crude from Canada to refineries in the U.S., the pipeline has been rejected multiple times due to environmental concerns regarding its impact on carbon emissions and climate change. Despite the project's inability to proceed during the Obama administration, Trump signed a permit for it in 2017, only for Joe Biden to revoke it soon after taking office. The context of Trump's renewed efforts is rooted in political motivations, as he positions himself against Biden's policies and seeks to reinstate infrastructure projects that he claims will create jobs and potentially lower energy costs.
Challenges Facing Keystone XL
Significant obstacles lie ahead for the Keystone XL pipeline's revival, notably the absence of vital company support and the necessary infrastructure. Key assets associated with the original project have been spun off or are no longer available since TCE Energy ceased backing it, leaving potential new investors unmoved by the controversial nature of the project. Furthermore, the current oil market dynamics reveal a decreased demand for imports; the U.S. is producing oil at unprecedented levels, reducing the necessity for an influx of Canadian crude. The situation is further complicated by shifting climate policies, with questions surrounding both financial backing and environmental approvals for any potential restart of the project.
Sources exclusively told POLITICO that President-elect Donald Trump is looking to revive the Keystone XL oil pipeline on his first day back in the White House even though no companies are trying to build it anymore. POLITICO’s Ben Lefebvre breaks down why Trump wants to revive the pipeline and whether his plan is feasible. Plus, FERC issued a new version of its sweeping transmission rule, and this year’s global climate talks are sidestepping a previous historic pledge.