With so much controversy erupting over the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), information about the pipeline and why protesters are opposing it might provide a more balanced look at issues surrounding its installation and operation ~ and what it means for the future.
The Dakota Access Pipeline
About the [link url=”http://www.daplpipelinefacts.com/” title=”pipeline”]:
- Has the ability to move anywhere from 470,000 to 570,000 barrels of oil per day in a relatively safe manner compared to other transportation methods
- Will connect North Dakota’s Bakken and Three Forks oil production areas to existing pipelines in Illinois
- Being built with safest, most technologically advanced methods for operation and monitoring
- Being built parallel to existing pipelines, roads, and power lines to reduce environmental impact
- Impact of the pipeline is minimized because in many areas it follows the Northern Border Pipeline
Wait, what? Yes, the pipeline closely follows, where possible, the [link url=”https://ndpipelines.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/nd-natural-gas-map-feb-2016.pdf” title=”Northern Border Pipeline”], a natural gas pipeline put through in 1982 that moves natural gas products from the Saskatchewan-Montana border to North Hayden, Indiana.
Similar paths
What’s even more interesting is that where the current protests are taking place, the DAPL pipeline runs nearly along the same path for almost 40 miles with the Northern Border Pipeline, including where it will cross the Missouri River. In addition, the [link url=”https://books.google.com/books?id=Lfk0AQAAMAAJ&lpg=PR11&dq=northern%20border%20pipeline%20nepa%20north%20dakota&pg=SA5-PA65#v=onepage&q&f=true” title=”Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Environmental Impact Statement”] shows that the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe made no objections regarding the location of the Northern Border Pipeline, including where it crosses Lake Oahu, or in regards to sacred burial sites. That’s the exact same location that the proposed DAPL will follow, including where it crosses the river/reservoir.
Two years ago, no one cared
Not everyone in the community agrees with the protests. At least one member of the Standing Rock community says that two years ago, when hearings were held to allow the tribe and its members to voice their concerns, no one cared, or attended. Now they are protesting the pipeline. Not everyone is not on board with the protests and many frankly find the protests a nuisance. Robert Fool Bear Sr. notes the [link url=”http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/29/us/dakota-pipeline-standing-rock-sioux/” title=”protests are disrupting his and other community member’s ability to easily navigate”] through town, often requiring moving through police checks and detours of up to 40 miles. He has also found protestors sleeping in his storage shed.
Increased community safety
What about the transportation safety? For those who are seriously concerned about the movement of light sweet crude oil via rail and roadways, the pipeline significantly reduces these hazards. Although there are still concerns over the environment, the United States is [link url=”http://www.pipeline101.com/Where-Are-Pipelines-Located” title=”criss-crossed with a myriad of pipelines”] that move everything from natural gas and crude oil, to chemicals and other products, safely and efficiently – the vast majority of the time.
Benefits of the Dakota Access Pipeline
[link url=”http://www.daplpipelinefacts.com/” title=”Benefits of the DAPL”] include:
- Reduces transport of light sweet crude oil via rail and roads, greatly increasing community safety
- Reduces overland congestion, especially via rail which is negatively impacting agricultural grain transportation
- Safest, most efficient method for transporting crude oil
- Improves market access
- Increases energy independence for the United States, the world’s largest consumer of crude oil
- Closes the gap between the amount of oil imported, and that which is consumed
- Pipeline construction will create 8,000 to 12,000 jobs including:
- mechanics
- electricians,
- putting welders
- pipefitters
- heavy equipment operators
- Increasing in manufacturing sector that involves steel pipes, valves, fittings, and other components
- Local communities will see revenues increase from use of hotels, restaurants and other service industries
- Generation of an estimated $50 million in property taxes annually
- Generation of property sales tax of $74 million that benefits schools, emergency services and road departments in North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois.
Activists protest for combination of causes
So why the protest? Likely the protest is the latest by environmental activists who are making an effort to curb the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. Activists indicate that [link url=”http://time.com/4586218/dakota-access-pipeline-keystone-2017/” title=”this and future protests center around fossil fuel projects”] – protests which are expected to increase – especially in the wake of the Paris Climate Change agreement.
Protestors are saying the Dakota Access Pipeline and other proposed pipeline projects contribute to climate change impacts created by humans and threaten the well-being of the nation’s citizens. It also maintains the nation’s dependence on crude oil and fossil fuels instead of focusing on improving and increasing the use of renewable energy sources. The protests are also meant to build large coalitions that focus on and address climate change and environmental justice in combination with indigenous rights, which many believe are often infringed upon.
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