Keystone XL pipeline town hall held at CBC Calgary

CBC Calgary joined forces with United States public broadcaster America Abroad for a special discussion about pipelines and energy security.

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Monday's town hall event featured live audiences in both Calgary and Lincoln, Neb.

It discussed TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL pipeline — which would see Alberta crude flow south to refineries in Texas — and the energy situation in both countries.

The CBC's alberta@noon host Donna McElligott and Hari Sreenivasan, an anchor and correspondent with PBS, moderated the joint town hall.

Representatives from the pipeline and energy industry in Calgary were in attendance, as well the voices of those who are skeptical when it comes to pipelines and the development of the oilsands.

It's a divisive issue, and has been heavily debated for more than six years.

"Absolutely for it," said Calgary resident Edward Beattie. "It is the most environmental and efficient way to transport the fossil fuels that Americans are still using and are not going to give up anytime soon."

But not everyone agreed, as many people want to see a shift to more renewable energy.

"I think we have to start thinking differently," said Calgary resident Mary Nokleby. "It's not a gravy-train for everybody ... and it's not a gravy train for the planet."

The pipeline project is waiting for approval from the U.S.

"Maybe I'm glass half full," said TransCanada's Corey Goulet. "I believe it'll be built because there's bi-partisan support in the United States for the project."

He says if the pipeline is not approved then there will just be more oil shipments to the U.S. by rail.