Trump demands revival of Keystone XL Pipeline to reduce oil dependence
- The Keystone XL Pipeline was proposed in 2008 and originally aimed to transport oil from Canada to the U.S.
- The pipeline project faced multiple regulatory challenges, including a rescinded permit by President Biden in January 2021.
- Donald Trump has recently called for the revival of the project, emphasizing the need for energy independence and criticizing Biden's decision.
The Keystone XL Pipeline project, aimed at transporting oil from Canada's Alberta oil sands to Nebraska, was a focal point of controversy in the United States. Initially proposed in 2008, the project saw regulatory hurdles, including a major block by President Barack Obama in 2015 due to environmental concerns. However, the project received new life in 2017 when President Donald Trump reversed Obama's decision. Despite partial completion, the project was ultimately halted when President Joe Biden rescinded its permit on his first day in office in January 2021, prioritizing environmental issues over energy expansion. Recently, on February 24, 2025, Trump made calls for the project to be revived, stating that the Canadian company involved in its construction, TC Energy, should return to America and complete it. He emphasized this demand in a post on his Truth Social platform, reflecting his administration’s pro-energy stance and criticism of Biden’s approach. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed Trump's sentiments in her comments on a Fox News broadcast, reaffirming the desire for the pipeline's completion and also pointing to the need for new pipelines in other parts of the U.S. As discussions continue around energy independence and environmental impacts, the future of the Keystone XL Pipeline remains contentious, reflecting broader debates about infrastructure, energy policies, and environmental stewardship in North America.