Is it in our "national interest" to allow TransCanada to build the Keystone XL Pipeline Extension?
In 2008, TransCanada Corporation filed an application with the U.S. Government to expand its already existing Keystone Pipeline referred to as the Keystone XL extension. The U.S. government now needs to decide whether this pipeline expansion is in our "national interest".
President Obama, knowing that no matter what he decides someone will be unhappy, has continually postponed making a final determination and has threatened to veto Congress' approval of the Keystone extension, citing concerns of environmentalists and Nebraska farmers. However, on after class on January 9, 2015, the Nebraska Supreme Court approved the pipeline and the U.S. House of Representatives ok'd the Keystone Pipeline despite Obama's threat of veto. Also, see the CNN report on this historic decision.
In October 2014, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists met to discuss the following topics:
You will now develop a wiki with your classmates on these same topics.
Other Relevant Links
Geological Sequestration of CO2 in Kansas
Draft of the Environmental Impact Statement
Former Head of the USGS Supports Keystone Pipeline Extension
Does Keystone affect gas prices?
CBS News Report: Earthquakes in Connecticut
Article: Siberian Crater Formed by Underground Gas, Methane
Kansas State Officials Link Earthquakes to Oil & Gas Wastewater
Scientific American: Water Contaminated by Ammonium and Iodide
NPR Report: Movie - The Promised Land
Kansas State Task Force to Meet in Topeka on 01/21/2015
In 2008, TransCanada Corporation filed an application with the U.S. Government to expand its already existing Keystone Pipeline referred to as the Keystone XL extension. The U.S. government now needs to decide whether this pipeline expansion is in our "national interest".
President Obama, knowing that no matter what he decides someone will be unhappy, has continually postponed making a final determination and has threatened to veto Congress' approval of the Keystone extension, citing concerns of environmentalists and Nebraska farmers. However, on after class on January 9, 2015, the Nebraska Supreme Court approved the pipeline and the U.S. House of Representatives ok'd the Keystone Pipeline despite Obama's threat of veto. Also, see the CNN report on this historic decision.
In October 2014, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists met to discuss the following topics:
- Future Hydrocarbon Supplies
- Oil & Gas Impact on Water Quality & Supply
- Hydraulic Fracturing
- Keystone Pipeline
- Induced Seismicity
- CO2 Sequestration
You will now develop a wiki with your classmates on these same topics.
Other Relevant Links
Geological Sequestration of CO2 in Kansas
Draft of the Environmental Impact Statement
Former Head of the USGS Supports Keystone Pipeline Extension
Does Keystone affect gas prices?
CBS News Report: Earthquakes in Connecticut
Article: Siberian Crater Formed by Underground Gas, Methane
Kansas State Officials Link Earthquakes to Oil & Gas Wastewater
Scientific American: Water Contaminated by Ammonium and Iodide
NPR Report: Movie - The Promised Land
Kansas State Task Force to Meet in Topeka on 01/21/2015
NGSS Performance Standards
ESS2.E: BIOGEOLOGY: How do living organisms alter Earth’s processes and structures?
The many dynamic and delicate feedbacks between the biosphere and other Earth systems cause a continual co-evolution of Earth’s surface and the life that exists on it.
ESS3.A: NATURAL RESOURCES: How do humans depend on Earth’s resources?
Resource availability has guided the development of human society. All forms of energy production and other resource extraction have associated economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical costs and risks, as well as benefits. New technologies and regulations can change the balance of these factors.
ESS2.E: BIOGEOLOGY: How do living organisms alter Earth’s processes and structures?
The many dynamic and delicate feedbacks between the biosphere and other Earth systems cause a continual co-evolution of Earth’s surface and the life that exists on it.
ESS3.A: NATURAL RESOURCES: How do humans depend on Earth’s resources?
Resource availability has guided the development of human society. All forms of energy production and other resource extraction have associated economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical costs and risks, as well as benefits. New technologies and regulations can change the balance of these factors.