The American Trucking Associations testified this week at a Department of State hearing on the proposed Keystone XL crude oil pipeline, which would stretch from Hardisty, Alberta to Houston.


If constructed, the pipeline would be able to deliver up to 900,000 barrels of crude oil per day to the U.S. refinery hub in Houston. The project would consist of about 1,702 miles of new, 36-inch-diameter pipeline, including 327 miles in Canada and 1,375 miles within the U.S.

During the hearing, Rich Moskowitz, ATA's vice president and regulatory affairs counsel, told the DOS that the trucking industry would be dependent on petroleum-derived diesel fuel for the foreseeable future, although the industry is interested in moving to alternative fuels.

While some believe the pipeline would increase greenhouse gas emissions, ATA pointed out that these emissions would actually be less than any other mode of transportation. Without the pipeline, the oil would be transported on ships from North America to China, resulting in a net increase in emissions, ATA said. In addition, ATA noted that U.S. energy security would be diminished by not using oil derived from the Alberta oil sands.