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Likely Scenarios Show Relatively Low Stress on Systems for Petroleum and Refined-Oil Products, Although Near-Term Stresses Are Present

• Recent increases in crude oil output from some formations have put pressure on the U.S. TS&D system for crude oil. Currently, much of this output is being transported by rail, but, if production remains at recent levels or increases, crude-oil pipeline capacity will be expanded to handle more of these flows.
• Rail is significantly more expensive than pipelines and has more potential for spills in urban areas. Rail lines are stressed under current conditions.

Transmission Capacity for Electric Power Probably Needs to Grow

• But the projected new capacity needs are lower than recent historical capacity additions.
• Overall, expected transmission capacity additions that the Regional Energy Deployment System model estimates would not increase electricity prices significantly more than recent historical changes.

Additional Demand for Natural Gas Pipelines Is Modest in All Scenarios Modeled

• The ability to reverse pipeline flows plays a role in decreasing demand for new pipeline construction as sources of supply and demand shift.
• In none of the cases would the U.S. pipeline-construction industry appear likely to have difficulty meeting demand for new pipeline.