The New York Times reports a clear conflict of interest. Key surveys for controversial Keystone XL pipeline were conducted by a contractor for the company building the project.
The New York Times reports that key surveys for the Keystone XL pipeline were carried out by a contractor for TransCanada, the company seeking to build the project.
Cardino Entrix, a Houston based environmental contractor has previously worked on projects for TransCanada and describes the pipeline company as a "major client".
Their report said the project, one of the most complex pipelines ever proposed, would have "limited adverse environmental impacts", removing one of the last obstacles to approval. Professor Oliver Houck, a professor of law says that Cardno Entrix should never have been selected for the study as it has "a financial interest in the project"
Concerns about the impact of the vast fossil carbon reserves in the oil sands on climate aside, there are deep concerns about local environmental impacts. The oil mixture that Keystone XL will carry is especially thick, corrosive and unstable. TransCanada predicted its smaller Keystone 1 pipeline would suffer a 2000 gallon + oil spill only once every 7 years. In just over 1 year it has leaked at least 14 times including one spill of 21,000 gallons.
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