- President Trump urges the revival of the Keystone XL Pipeline, calling it a vital step for American energy independence.
- The $9 billion project, which was canceled by Biden in 2021, faced years of political and environmental opposition.
- TC Energy, the original company, has "moved on," but Trump suggests that another company could take over.
- Environmentalists and Indigenous groups oppose the pipeline, citing climate risks and ecological harm.
- Legal challenges and a lack of corporate interest make the pipeline's revival uncertain despite Trump's push.
President Donald Trump is urging the revival of the Keystone XL Pipeline, a project he says was "viciously jettisoned" by the Biden administration, in a bold move to bolster American energy independence.
On Monday evening, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to call for the company behind the pipeline to "come back to America, and get it built — NOW!" The $9 billion project, designed to transport crude oil from Canada’s tar sands to U.S. refineries, has been a lightning rod for political and environmental debate since its inception in 2008. Trump’s push comes as part of his broader agenda to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil and prioritize domestic energy production.
A long history of political battles
The Keystone XL Pipeline has faced a tumultuous journey since it was first proposed. Initially blocked by the Obama administration due to environmental concerns, the project was revived under Trump’s first term, only to be canceled again by President Joe Biden on his first day in office in 2021. Biden’s decision to revoke the pipeline’s federal permits led to thousands of job losses and left TC Energy, the company behind the project, with no choice but to abandon it.
Trump, however, is determined to bring the pipeline back to life. "I know they were treated very badly by Sleepy Joe Biden, but the Trump Administration is very different — Easy approvals, almost immediate start!" he wrote. While TC Energy has since spun off its oil pipeline business into a new entity, South Bow Energy, the company has made it clear that it has "moved on" from the project. Trump, undeterred, suggested that if the original company won’t take on the project, "perhaps another Pipeline Company" will.
A spokesperson for South Bow noted: "We've moved on from the Keystone XL project. We continue to engage with customers to develop options to increase Canadian oil supplies to meet growing demand."
The Keystone XL Pipeline has long been a target of environmentalists, who argue that it would contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, risk oil spills, and harm ecosystems. Indigenous leaders, landowners, and climate activists have fiercely opposed the project, viewing it as a step backward in the transition to cleaner energy.
However, Trump and his supporters argue that the pipeline is essential for American energy security. By reducing reliance on foreign oil, the U.S. can strengthen its economy and protect itself from global market volatility.
Despite Trump’s enthusiasm, reviving the Keystone XL Pipeline won’t be easy. Legal challenges, environmental opposition, and the lack of interest from TC Energy and its successor, South Bow Energy, pose significant hurdles. Dennis McConaghy, a former TC Energy executive, noted that opponents previously used the courts to stall the project, a tactic that could resurface if the pipeline is revived.
For Trump, the Keystone XL Pipeline is more than just a construction project; it’s a symbol of American energy independence and economic strength. While environmentalists and opponents remain steadfast in their resistance, Trump’s push reflects a broader debate about the future of U.S. energy policy. Whether the pipeline will ever be built remains uncertain, but it is clear that the fight over Keystone XL is far from over.
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