Opponents of the Keystone XL pipeline voice environmental concerns of transporting oil across the country to Texas refineries along the gulf coast. While proponents claim the benefits of construction job creation and improved source of oil from a friendly nation.
I propose encourage private industry to build new refineries along or close to the Canada and US border as an alternative to the Keystone. This would address some of the opponents concerns as well as job creation. However these refinery jobs would be permanent as opposed to temporary construction jobs.
The Texas refineries are also vulnerable to severe weather (i.e. hurricanes). Northern refineries would also promote greater energy security.