Update: Keystone XL Pipeline Gets Key Permits

The Houston Chronicle reports that TransCanada has received the last of three key permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to start building the 485-mile Gulf Coast section of its controversial Keystone XL pipeline. The company says this means the $2.3 billion oil pipeline can start construction in the “coming weeks.”

As things stand today, with its permits in place, this pipeline is coming. It will be laid between Cushing, Oklahoma and refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast, on a route that will take it through 17 east Texas counties, including Angelina County.

TransCanada CEO Russ Girling says “The Gulf Coast Project will contribute millions in property taxes to counties in Oklahoma and Texas, money that can be used to build roads, schools and hospitals.”

Pipeline supporters say it will create thousands of jobs and reduce our dependence on Middle East oil.  Opponents say the oil from Canadian tar sands is very dirty and refining it will increase air pollution.

The southern stretch of the pipeline may have the necessary permits, but many landowners in the 17 Texas counties it will cross say they'll go to court to stop it or get it off their land.  So this story is far from over. Stay tuned.