logo
Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Would reviving construction of the Keystone XL pipeline lower gas prices in the near future?

By Austin Tannenbaum
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
NO

The "export limited" extension of the Keystone pipeline was less than 8% complete when President Biden revoked its permit. If construction resumed, it would take years for oil to flow through it.

Even if XL became operational, the crude, taken from Canada's tar sands, would be piped to Gulf Coast refineries, which export a large portion of their oil.

Oil prices are determined by global markets. Commenting on whether XL would lower gas prices, the U.S. State Department told PolitiFact in 2017:

"Gas prices throughout the United States are primarily driven by global market factors. Any impact on prices for refined petroleum products resulting from the approval and construction of the Keystone XL pipeline would be minimal."

Despite Republican efforts to revive the pipeline, TC Energy is having the XL infrastructure dismantled and stated the project "will not proceed."

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Reuters Fact Check-Though Keystone XL Pipeline had secured most of its funding, it was only 8% constructed
US Energy Information Administration Supply and Disposition of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products: Gulf Coast
Natural Resources Defense Council Department of Energy Data Shows Keystone XL Is an Export Pipeline
South Dakota Public Broadcasting Republicans want Keystone XL Pipeline but company says the project 'will not proceed'
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Gigafact
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.