By Scott Harvey
– A conservative group's report that tar sands is three-13 times more acidic than conventional crude oil is giving new ammunition to opponents of a proposed pipeline through East Texas.
The proposed TransCanada XL pipeline would run from Canada, through Hopkins, Delta, Wood and other East Texas counties toward refineries on the Gulf Coast. Opponents fear of the effects of an oil spill and how the pipeline may diminish property value.
The report finds the highly-corrosive Canadian crude oil makes pipelines vulnerable to leaks and ruptures.
TransCanada disputes the report's claim, indicating it is misleading and inaccurate. They say the data is skewed because Canada requires all incidents to be reported, while US regulations only require reports for incidents where more than five barrels of oil leak out.