You Have Questions. We Have Answers.

We want to engage you in a dialogue about the KXL project. Below are some commonly asked questions about KXL. We encourage you to reach out with your own.

What is KXL?

KXL is a proposed 36-inch-diameter crude oil pipeline, beginning in Hardisty, Alberta, and extending south to Steele City, Nebraska. The project will create thousands of much-needed jobs for Americans, increase tax benefits for counties and communities, and provide a safe, secure, reliable source of energy to help fuel the everyday lives of Americans.

Why is KXL needed?

KXL will be a key component a much needed refocus on U.S. infrastructure while also producing thousands of well-paying jobs and substantial economic benefit to local communities and the U.S. GDP.

What is the project timeline? When will construction begin?

It is difficult to predict exact timing at this point. We will continue to work with Federal, State, Tribal and Local leaders to secure the support needed for this important project and are working through obtaining all applicable permits and approvals.

What permits are still required for KXL?

TransCanada must secure a route permit in Nebraska and acquire certain additional federal permits and authorizations.

Will KXL connect to other pipeline systems?

The base Keystone Pipeline System, which went into service in July 2010, has already safely and reliably transported over 1.4 billion barrels of crude oil from where it is produced in Canada and the U.S. to key U.S. refining centers. KXL will enhance this system and provide new ways to safely transport the energy to fuel Americans’ daily lives, now and in the future.

How many jobs will KXL create?

During construction, KXL would create significant employment benefits in the form of tens of thousands of well-paying jobs and associated earnings throughout the United States.

What are the economic benefits of KXL?

KXL would provide substantial economic benefits to the United States.  As found in the FSEIS, those benefits would include a multi-billion dollar contribution to the U.S. GDP and significant property tax revenues, as well as sales and use and other tax revenues, to counties and states along the proposed project route.  The total estimated property tax from the proposed project in the first full year of operations would be about $55.6 million spread across 27 counties in three states.  This is money counties could use to build new roads, schools and hospitals. Additionally, sales and use taxes revenue from the construction of the proposed project would be approximately $66 million.  These revenues could help to ease the tax burden on ordinary Americans. Construction of KXL is also expected to contribute approximately $3.4 billion to the U.S. GDP. Read more here.

How are you ensuring safety?

Safety is our number 1 priority, and our goal always is zero incidents. KXL prioritizes safety for workers, communities and all stakeholders through enhanced standards, powerful technology and independent reviews, ensuring that KXL is built and operated to uphold our fundamental commitment to safety and the communities we serve. Modern technology will be built into the pipe to continuously monitor product flow. Regular aerial and land inspections will occur to supplement digital monitoring. In each country specific emergency protocols will be set up and routinely practiced. Visit our safety page for more information.

How will you minimize impact on land and water?

We are committed to minimizing our environmental impact during the development of the KXL Project. We have built pipelines in all conditions throughout the U.S. and Canada and pride ourselves on minimizing impact and returning the land to its original condition.

We employ the most modern construction techniques when building our pipelines and take precautions around roads and water crossings. For instance:

• Normal farming equipment may cross the right-of-way without restrictions.
• We are responsible for the repair of drain tiles, irrigation, or other buried utilities, if damaged during pipeline construction.
• We will minimize road impact during construction and will be responsible for repairing any road damage caused by construction.
• Under rivers we will use a state-of-the-art technique called horizontal directional drilling to bury the pipeline well below the river bed at approximately 25 feet. This will allow us to bury the pipe deeper on both sides of the river bank, offering protection from floods or high river levels. The pipe will also be made of thicker steel as it crosses the river, will operate at a lower stress and be further protected by advanced non-abrasive coatings.