With rising gas prices and an increasing reliance on nonrenewable resources, finding a reliable source for extracting and transporting oil has become an issue. In 2010, the Keystone Pipeline project was proposed and commissioned by TransCanada. Essentially, this is a pipeline that transports oil sands bitumen across the Canada-US border and into several different reserves in the States. An additional extension to the Keystone Pipeline, the Keystone XL Pipeline, has also been proposed. Several issues arise when considering the consequences of this new proposal, including the potential for oil spills and habitat damage. However, while the Keystone XL Pipeline does pose a potential threat on the environment, the construction of the pipeline is …show more content…
Opponents of the project argue that the negative effects of the pipeline on the environment would outweigh the economic benefits of the pipeline. Since the pipeline would be built over several important landmarks including the Ogallala Aquifer, the “most heavily used aquifer in the United States [which] supplies about 30 percent of the groundwater pumped for irrigation nationwide” as well as provide a major source of drinking water, the potential for leaks and spillages in the pipe could cause the water to become contaminated (Song). Nearby plants and animals would also be affected by the chemicals of the oil sands. The issue of greenhouse gas emissions also raises concerns. According to Janna Palliser’s, The Keystone XL Pipeline:
The amount of greenhouse gas emitted in the production of tar-sands oil is three times that of conventional oil and gas production. An increase in tar-sands development could increase U.S. green-house gas emissions from 27 to 125 million tons by 2015. The tar-sands fields in Alberta are Canada's largest source of carbon dioxide emissions. Tar-sands oil also creates emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide, which contribute to acid rain
The Time article “A High-Plains Showdown Over the Dakota Access Pipeline” by Justin Worland talks about a controversy over a 1,200-mile pipeline stretching from North Dakota to Illinois. The pipeline is called the Dakota Access Pipeline project and is being built by the Energy Transfer Partners company. Some people are outraged by the pipeline because it contributes to man-made climate change. Others are mainly outraged because the Standing Rock Sioux tribe never agreed to the construction of the pipeline. The leaders of the tribe say that “Washington never considered their concerns, as required by the federal law” (Worland).
The problem of North Dakota Access Pipeline is that the digging of the pipeline under Lake Oahe would affect people who drink from the water. In addition, the North Dakota Access Pipeline was built on scared land. This is a violation of Native Americans culture. There is no respect for Native Americans as oppressors just want to profit from their land. Many
1. The title of the article is “On the Keystone Pipeline, President Obama Missed an Opportunity” the article was published November 11, 2015 at 12:31 pm by Greg IP. 2. In the article, “On the Keystone Pipeline, President Obama Missed an Opportunity”, it is discussing President Obama’s decision on vetoing the Keystone XL Pipeline and the thought process behind it. In a recent statement President Obama explained his reason for vetoing the pipeline by stating that in order to prevent the climate from warming up we must leave some fossil fuels in the ground.
The environmental argument is coming from a clash over the fact they are basically stripping the canadian boreal forest, the path of the pipeline extends across major aquifers, and pipelines tend to leak and destroy surrounding environments. In addition ccording to The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions State, “epartment’s draft SEIS found that oil from the Canadian oil sands is 17 percent more carbon-intensive than the average oil consumed in the United States... It is estimated that the U.S. greenhouse gas footprint would increase by 3 million to 21 million metric tons per year, or around 0.04 percent to 0.3 percent of the 2010 levels, if Keystone is built. Fortunately on November 6, 2015, President Barack Obama’s administration rejected the Keystone Pipeline XL after 7 years of dispute. As mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, Obama stated “the project would not have lowered gas prices, improved energy security or made a meaningful long-term contribution to the economy
This highly debated topic has received widespread media coverage as more than 300 native tribes and numerous environmentalist groups have shown support for the Rock Sioux Tribe in 40 different states (Yubanet). Construction for the Dakota Access Pipeline should be permanently halted due to its imminent contamination of clean water, it’s disrespect to tribal land, and its causation of unnecessary violence towards protesters. Consequently, when reviewing the
The keystone pipeline has created great debate among the government of the United States and Native American’s living close to where it would be. There have been several attempts by the counter parts to convince the general public what to do. An example of these are the “Reject and Protect” Cowboy and Indian Alliance Anti-Pipeline Ad and the Support Keystone Pro-Pipeline Ad. The Anti-pipeline add starts with images of the Native American’s and Cowboys together. In the background we can hear Native American chants witch could be used to be more sympathetic with the subject.
It would transport crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois. The project developer, Dakota Access, says the pipeline would help the U.S. become less dependent on importing energy from precarious regions throughout the world. They also say a pipeline is the safest, most cost effective, and environmentally responsible way to transport crude oil. Although some view this pipeline as an asset, and something that would bring in millions of dollars along with thousands of jobs, many neglect to perceive the blatant racism involved in this act. The pipeline would be dug under the Missouri River, potentially affecting the Standing Rock Sioux Indians drinking water supply and seventeen million Americans.
The pipeline crosses through the water and sacred ground for native tribes such as the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. People argue that if the pipeline goes through water, it could contaminate the water. A solution to this problem could be changing the route or destination of the pipeline so that it will not cross through water or sacred grounds. This will stop protests. It will cost extra money and time, but I believe that with the long term effects that the Dakota Pipeline will provide, it will be worth it.
The Dakota Access Pipeline is a underground oil pipeline. Part of the pipeline is on Native American territory. To get access to the pipeline, burial grounds of the Natives Americans would have to be annihilated, going against the tradition of Native American culture. In the article,”
My perceptions regarding Alaskan drilling have not changed, I believe that the Alaskan Wilderness should not be drilled for oil. My decision rests on the fact that the Alaskan wilderness is an irreplaceable natural resource and the possible oil resources it may or may not yield, are not worthy of its destruction. Viewing this situation as a dispassionate observer, there is no overwhelming motive for the U.S. to drill in Alaska. Scientists have largely stated that the oil reserves in Alaska may not yield the amount or quality of oil once believed, therefore it does not warrant the expenditure of time, money, and resources to disrupt the environment. Advocates argue that drilling would decrease fuel prices, create new jobs, and end our foreign
less damage in the pipeline can cause the environment to be clean and to allow the people not to be worried and to think that the pipe can transport the crude oil
Donald Trump approved the Keystone XL pipeline in March of 2017, and the project will create construction and operating jobs for Canadians, and for Americans. The pipeline will run from Alberta through Saskatchewan then through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and finally Texas. By encouraging
“Benefits of Governmental Compromise Regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline” Nations all have unique governments and differences necessary for demonstrating successful leadership. Every country needs different assistance from their leadership, such as Rio requiring infrastructure or Somalia lacking political power. Some governments concern themselves with their politicians’ well-being more so than the people they lead, which creates a relevant problem in America. The United States Government can easily forget about Native American Reservations, or even ignore the people living on them. Recently, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has worked on the Dakota Access Pipeline project, which would cross over Native American ancestral lands,
Controversy Surrounding the Keystone XL Pipeline To build or not to build, this choice will impact the relationship between the US and Canada and determine the level of dependence the US will have on countries that are not so friendly. “TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL Pipeline would transport oil sands crude from Canada and shale oil produced in North Dakota and Montana to a market hub in Nebraska for delivery to Gulf Coast refineries. The pipeline would consist of 875 miles of 36-inch pipe with the capacity to transport 830,000 barrels per day” (Parfomak, Pirog, Luther and Vann 4). The construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline would strengthen the United States economy, provide energy security and have minimal environmental impact. “The Keystone XL project would create $1.1 trillion in private capital investment at no
There are several groups who are not in favor of the Trans Alaska Pipeline. One of these groups is the Environmentalists.