• The pipe to be used in the Pipeline is labeled “Tested 1910 PSI”. Unfortunately, according to TransCanada’s own documents, the diluted bitumen (dilbit) will be forced through the pipes at 2200 PSI – quite an obvious problem they’re apparently choosing to ignore. [10]

• The oil to be transported through the Pipeline will not be your typical unprocessed crude oil. It will be a heavy, tar-like sludge called “bitumen”. For the bitumen to be moved through the pipes, TransCanada will have to dilute it with chemicals (that are particularly corrosive to steel) and then force the mixture through the pipes under high pressure. Worse, TransCanada views these chemicals as company trade secrets and refuses to make them public knowledge. When a spill occurs, and it is not ‘if’, it is ‘when’, the EPA’s crew will be facing the cleanup of unknown toxic compounds. [5]

• Evan Vokes, while a pipeline inspector for TransCanada, filed numerous complaints with his employer regarding code violations and subpar construction he witnessed out in the field. After being ignored, Vokes finally turned whistleblower and filed a complaint with federal regulators. His complaints were still ignored and he was promptly fired. He continues to investigate TransCanada’s pipelines and his most recent investigation into the construction of the Texas leg of the Keystone XL has revealed that TransCanada has no intention of changing its ways. [13]

• Instead of adopting the newest technology to detect pipeline leaks (infrared sensors or fiber-optic cables), TransCanada decided to cut costs and rely on more outdated software-based systems. [14]