The Keystone XL Pipeline Should Be Built

My ArgumentI. Job CreationMy opponent as admitted that jobs will be created for the economy, but his numbers just simply don't add up:"Other estimates advanced by supporters of the pipeline have been even more optimistic, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce claiming it could create 250,000 permanent U.S. jobs." [1] "The Keystone XL Pipeline project is estimated to bring in $20 billion of private sector investment into the American economy, create 20,000 direct jobs, spur the creation of 118,000 spin-off jobs and pay out $5 billion in taxes to local counties over the project's lifetime." [2]However, because we both acknowledge the growth in American jobs, I win this argument.II. GDPRead here:"private sector investment of more than $20 billion in the U.S. economy." [3]And here:"The study further concluded that once the pipeline is operational, the states along the pipeline route are expected to receive an additional $5.2 billion in property taxes during the estimated operating life of the pipeline. The $7 billion pipeline project is expected to directly create more than 15,000 high-wage manufacturing jobs and construction jobs in 2011-2012 across the US." [4]III. Midwest Oil PricesMy opponent is ignoring the laws of supply and demand. More supply without an increase in demand means lower prices, so that means prices will lower. It will only lower the prices by several cents, but every increase is good. [5]Also:"The NRDC findings contradict a report last year from IHS CERA, which provides business advice and analysis to energy companies, that said the pipeline would help lower fuel prices." [6]IV. Midwest EconomyLook at the above arguments.V. Long-term ContributionsFalse. I gave sources for my arguments here. That little bit of irrelevant information of the Texas refinery is nice, but it dosen't talk about creating any jobs or growth in GDP.My RefutationsI. Damaging the EnvironmentMy opponent has explained the costs of how the world environment will be damaged if the pipeline is built, but he ignores one this. The construction of the pipeline is inevitable and if the US does not want it then China will. As said here:"Canada has signaled it would re-route the pipeline to the West Coast and sell oil to China, which has already invested heavily in the tar sands." [7] There is no way to prevent the construction of the pipeline, but if its built here we get tens of thousands of jobs, possibly hundreds of thousands of jobs.My opponent talks about these oil (or tar) sands. According to this article:"Oil from tar sands is very similar to oil already transported throughout the United States. The process of refining tar sands oil is verifiable, and exploration, production, and exportation of such oil has already begun. Indeed, Canada is already America's largest supplier of oil and natural gas, and this oil can be made into many useful items like asphalt, gasoline, and jet fuel." [8]These tar sands aren't at all that bad.II. Improper Government OversightAs explained before, tar sand oil is not that bad. Its likely that the Chinese will give just as much improper oversight according to my opponent. The difference is that we can either have economic growth in the homeland or across the Pacific Ocean.ConclusionI have made my arguments that the Keystone Pipeline will create jobs and lower prices. The pipeline will bring us great economic growth. The benefits far outweigh the costs.Sources1. http://www.cbsnews.com...2. http://www.chron.com...3. http://www.transcanada.com...4. http://www.keystonexlnebraska.com...5. http://en.wikipedia.org...6. http://www.ibtimes.com...7. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com...8. http://tucsoncitizen.com...