Keystone Pipeline Coalitions Analysis

COALITIONS

STATED GOALS

ACTUAL GOALS

TACTICS

DOMINANT COALITION

Members: TransCanada Shareholders, Canadian Energy Research Institute

* Energy security to the U.S
*Create more than 9,000 jobs for americans that includes skilled workers such as welders, mechanics, electricians, pipefilters, laborers, safety coordinators, among others.
*Generate potentially $20 billion which will have an great economic impact in the U.S. Local government revenues and state governement revenues will be benefited by the Keystone Pipeline XL.
*Estimated property taxes of approximately $5 billion during the operational life of the pipeline will benefit the US economy.
* Business and contractiong opportunities in the US.

*Increase its revenues and profitability to become the world's leader Energy Infrastructure corporation.
*Become the main oil supplier for the U.S
* Be able to exploit sand oils reserves and refine the oil in the US
* Avoid investments in clean energy projects

*Online advertisement which includes only the benefits of the Keystone pipeline.
* Government coalitions in support of the Keystone Pipeline XL
* Labor leaders coalitions in support of the Keystone Pipeline XL
*Energy Organization coalitions in support of the Pipeline
* Environmental studies in favor of the construction of the pipeline

This coalition current main interest is to finish Phase IV of the Keystone Pipeline. The Keystone Pipeline system started in 2008 and it is composed of different pipelines that run from Western Canada to refineries in the United States. Phase I, II , and III are currently in operation and phase IV is pending for approval from the US goverment. The TransCanada coalition wants to complete Keystone Pipelince XL and have been seeking for approval of this pipeline from the US government since 2011.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS COALITION

Members: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, House Energy and Commerce Committee, some members of the U.S congress

* Avoid higher greenhouse emissions
* Protect wildlife and water supplies
* Less land pollution
*Avoid extensively energy consumption by  refining sand oils.
* Avoid contribution to global warming
* Support clean energy  investments

* Environmetal studies showing the potential environmental impact due to increase in greenhouse emissions.
* Online blogs and advertisement againts the Keystone Pipeline
* Get support from influential members of government parliament, citizens, and other environmental groups and individuals to raise awareness.

This coalition is againts the dominant coalition due to the impact on the environment that the construction of the Keystone Pipeline can cause. In a recent environmental impact draft the Environmental Protection Agency states that the Keystone Pipeline project did not fully look into the oil spills responses, safety issues related to the pipeline, and greenhouse gases emissions. In addition to the concerns mentioned above, environmentalists are concerned about the potential impacts that the pipeline can cause to water supplies, migratory birds and wildlife.

POLITICAL COALITION

Members: Some Republicans members of the U.S Senate

*Create jobs in the U.S " America Back to Work"
* Create energy security and independence in the U.S
* Potentially reduce the amount of oil America imports from Venezuela, the Middle East, and other unstable regions of the world by up to 40%.
*Approve the Keystone Pipeline under strong government regulations that are in place  to protect the environment and respect human rights.

This coalition defends the Northern Router Approval Act which allow for congresional approval of the Keystone pipeline and bypasses the need of President Obama's approval.

* Benefit from local and estate revenues from the Keystone Pipeline
*Possible economic support from TransCanada on the November 4, 2014 elections.

* Pressure President Obama to approve the Keystone Pipeline Project.
* Publicly supporting building the pipeline
*Get support from Senate Democrats
* Support Environmental Impact Statements that state minimal impact to the environment

LABOR LEADERS COALITION

Members: Labor Unions, Laborers’ International Union of North America, construction contractors,  Kiewit Corporation

* Generate thousands of construction jobs in the U.S and especially in Nebraska.
*Improve jobs in local businesses such as hotel, grocery stores, taverns, gas stations, and so on.
*Better benefits for their workers that includes healthcare and retirement contributions
* Excellent living wages that can range between $30 to $40 an hour

* Videos and blogs supporting the Keystone Pipeline
* Labor Leaders press conference in support of the pipeline
* Photos on the internet of workers building the pipeline
* Pipeline workers' interviews supporting the project

This coalition supports building the Keystone pipeline because they are confident that it will generate thousands of jobs in the U.S for skilled workers as well as laborers.