Keystone Pipeline XL Protest

            February 4th at 6:30 p.m. many people gathered in front of Tulane University to protest against the Keystone XL Pipeline. This tar sands filled pipeline would cut through America’s mainland. The Keystone Pipeline already exists. What is yet to come, Keystone XL Pipeline would be an expansion running from Canada into the United State’s Gulf coast. At its peak capacity this pipeline will deliver about 830,00 barrels of oil per day. The company TransCanada (The company that proposes this expansion) writes on their website that, “ Keystone XL Pipeline will be the safest and most advanced pipeline operation in North America. It will not only bring essential infrastructure to North America oil producers, but it will also provide jobs, long-term energy independence and an economic boost to Americans.” What they don’t tell you is that this project will make the U.S. completely dependent on dirty fuels. The U.S. market as well as all international markets associated with the U.S. will be prone to the unprocessed tar sands. These toxic fuels transferred through the pipeline will harm our environment and change our climate. The leader of the protesters, a woman decked out in a Captain Planet costume, said, “We cannot let Obama add to the pollution in our environment. If this thing gets approved our plans of helping our planet and reducing global warming will be more of a lost cause.” Electronic candles and signs saying, “Obama rejects keystone XL pipeline” were passed around as well as flags with the planet on it. Hopefully this protest along with many others around America will convince the government to avoid making yet another big mistake.