Keystone Pipeline Has Leaked More Than 200K Gallons of Oil in South Dakota

Company and state regulators reported Thursday that TransCanada Corp.’s infamous Keystone pipeline has sprung a leak and been shut down. An estimated 210,000 gallons of oil in northeastern South Dakota, has escaped the pipeline. At this time it’s reported that the cause was being investigated.

This is the largest Keystone oil spill to date in South Dakota…

Officials stated that the leak did not contaminate any water systems, said Brian Walsh, an environmental scientist manager at the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. He is also quoted as saying,

Ultimately, the cleanup responsibility lies with TransCanada, and they’ll have to clean it up in compliance with our state regulations.” – MSN News

The Keystone XL pipeline transports crude from Alberta, Canada, to Illinois and Oklahoma. The infostructure can handle nearly 23 million gallons a day.

The Keystone Pipeline is part of a 2,687-mile system that includes the proposed Keystone XL. This pipeline, which has faced persistent opposition from environmental groups, Native American tribes, and some farmers and other landowners.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSAEeIkJ_ok

This is the largest Keystone oil spill to date in South Dakota, according to Brian Walsh, a spokesman for the state’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The leak comes just days before Nebraska officials announce a decision on whether the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline, a sister project, can move forward. President Donald Trump issued the federal permit for the Keystone XL project in March,  though it had been rejected by the previous administration due to environmental concerns, and many argue the pipeline addition is not even needed.

If you’d like to know more about the pipeline, check out this timeline by Yes Magazine.