Environmental, National

Keystone XL Pipeline Leaks 210,000 Gallons of Oil in South Dakota


Spill affected stretch of pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta, to Cushing, Oklahoma, and to Wood River, Illinois

South Dakota—(ENEWSPF)—November 16, 2017

By: Rosemary Piser

Keystone XL Pipeline
2017 demonstration against Keystone XL Pipeline

CNN is reporting that a total of 210,000 gallons of oil leaked from the Keystone Pipeline today in Marshall County, South Dakota, according to the pipeline’s operator, TransCanada.

The pipeline was shut down Thursday morning as officials investigate the cause of the leak.

According to Brian Walsh, spokesperson for the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, there was a 16,800 gallon spill in April 2016 with the majority of the oil cleanup completed in two months.

Walsh said that today’s spill is the largest Keystone oil spill in South Dakota to date.

CNN indicates that there were no initial reports as yet of the oil spill affecting waterways, water systems or wildlife.

TransCanada is working with state and federal agencies to resolve the problem and determine the reason(s) for the spill.

The sections of pipeline affected stretch from Hardisty, Alberta, to Cushing, Oklahoma, and to Wood River, Illinois.

In March, President Donald Trump’s administration officially issued a permit that approved construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Trump’s approval followed years of intense debate over the pipeline amid hefty opposition from environmental groups. Native American groups have argued the pipeline would cut across their sovereign lands.

Source: cnn.com


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