Canceled pipeline project has nothing to do with U.S. gas prices
To the editor:
Regarding the recent letter from Mr. Kalfus. If he had done his homework instead of posting from the “Twilight Zone,” he would have known that the XL pipeline project that was canceled by President Biden would have in no way effected the price of gasoline at the pump.
It was designed as a faster way to transport “tar sands” oil from Canada to the Texas gulf coast, which is currently being done by rail and tankers. Canadian “tar sands” oil is the most toxic form of crude oil known, the refining process is much more costly and the waste products from refining, that must be disposed of, are highly toxic to our environment.
Pipeline or no pipeline this “crude” as been arriving here for years past, as mentioned, just by other means,. After processing in Texas it is shipped to overseas markets, much of which is used in the production of plastics. Not a drop has ever found its way to our gas pumps, so that pipeline would change nothing. It would only save Canada transportation costs and increase the risk of polluting our pristine aquifers, if built.
President Biden has not closed any existing pipeline that could be reopened, as some have claimed is the cause of the current price of gas, and you cannot open a pipeline that only exists on paper as also a reason. Even if Biden had chosen to go ahead with the pipeline project, it would not have been completed until sometime in 2023, which could not possibly affect what has been currently happening.
The price of a barrel of crude oil is a world commodity and there are a number of reasons as to the current increase, which has nothing to do with the above. It is still actually cheaper here than in many other parts of the world; but to claim “Here’s the solution: just finish the pipeline” and gasoline will magically drop two dollars a gallon, is beyond ignorant.
As to “working for the American people.” Well. a great many of us care as to how we will leave our country and the world for our great grand children, something it seems is no concern to some. Please educate yourself.
Ron Kordick
Cape Coral