After Biden cancelled the US license, the Keystone XL pipeline was cancelled

The construction of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline was officially terminated on Wednesday, a major victory for environmentalists who have been working with the project for more than a decade to step up their fight against other fossil fuel development.

After Joe Biden canceled the permit to build his U.S. branch line in his first operation as president, it is widely expected that TC Energy and the Alberta government will decide to close the $8 billion pipeline.

“We remain disappointed and frustrated with the status of the Keystone XL project, including the cancellation of the presidential permit for pipeline transit,” said Alberta Governor Jason Kenny.

The project, which will transport bitumen from the oil sands in northern Alberta to refineries on the Gulf Coast, was opposed from the beginning and became a symbol of the future fossil fuel political deadlock in the United States.

It was blocked by then-President Barack Obama in 2015, who said it would undermine US efforts to tackle climate change. But Donald Trump signed an order in his first week in office to push it forward. Biden’s decision to revoke the license fulfilled the promise made during the campaign.

In Canada, politicians have lobbied for the project to continue, and Biden’s decision is Say hello in frustrationThis is especially true in Alberta, which holds a US$1.1 billion stake in the project and lent TC Energy US$4.7 billion to cover construction costs. Approximately 150 kilometers of pipelines have been installed in the Canadian province.

The project employed approximately 2,500 employees in the United States and Alberta during its peak construction period last year. But since Biden decided to cancel the permit, construction activities have been suspended.

The production of Canadian super-heavy oil mines is more carbon-intensive than most other forms of crude oil, which makes Keystone a target for environmentalists who believe that new pipeline projects will encourage continued Fossil fuel production.

Moody’s analyst Gavin McFarlane said: “Keystone XL symbolizes the industry’s challenges in obtaining permits and construction for high-profile projects, not only in Western Canada, but throughout North America.”

Other pipeline projects are also facing serious opposition. In recent days, Enbridge’s Line 3 expansion project will also ship more Canadian oil south, but there have been clashes between environmentalists and the police.The future of the Dakota Access pipeline that transports oil from the Bakken Shale section of North Dakota to the rest of the U.S. remains uncertain after the judge’s ruling Order a further environmental review.

Utilities Dominion Energy and Duke Energy cancelled last year US$8 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline The cost of the project soared after protracted litigation and delays.

Wednesday’s surrender was welcomed by environmental groups, who vowed to continue fighting against pipelines in other parts of the United States.

“The fight to stop Keystone XL has never been a channel,” said Kendall Mackey, campaign manager at 350.org. “The termination of this zombie pipeline set a precedent for President Biden and the polluters to stop Line 3, Dakota Access and all fossil fuel projects.”