Second Transcontinental Pipeline May Succeed if Keystone XL Fails

As the Keystone XL pipeline project remains mired in political muck, a second pipeline project is quietly moving toward approval.

1 minute read

August 12, 2013, 11:00 AM PDT

By Anna Bergren Miller @abergrenmiller


Pipeline builder Enbridge, Inc., has been working on a project for a slightly smaller pipeline that would carry 660,000 barrels of crude from the Alberta tar sands to the Gulf by 2015. Over three-quarters of the 774-mile Eastern Gulf pipeline comprises a repurposed natural gas pipeline, which means that much of it is already built.

While the Keystone XL pipeline has engendered vocal opposition, the Eastern Gulf pipeline has largely gone unnoticed. But that doesn’t mean there isn't reason to be concerned. In fact, the Eastern Gulf line is only one small part of a 5,000-mile oil transport network being built by Enbridge.

“The recent news about the latest hitches for the Keystone XL pipeline may have cheered its opponents,” Thomas Stackpole writes. “But they’re going to have to start thinking a lot bigger if they want to block further tar-sands oil development entirely."

Thursday, August 8, 2013 in Grist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Two Rivian trucks charging at Rivian branded charging ports.

US Senate Reverses California EV Mandate

The state planned to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035, a goal some carmakers deemed impossible to meet.

May 22 - CALmatters

Metal U.S. Geodetic Survey marker in stone in Arizona.

Trump Cuts Decimate Mapping Agency

The National Geodetic Survey maintains and updates critical spatial reference systems used extensively in both the public and private sectors.

May 22 - Wired

Close-up of 10 mph speed limit sign.

Washington Passes First US ‘Shared Streets’ Law

Cities will be allowed to lower speed limits to 10 miles per hour and prioritize pedestrians on certain streets.

May 22 - The Urbanist