In 2014, Energy Transfer Partners began construction of a pipeline that would connect North Dakota to Iowa, called the North Dakota Access Pipeline. It is also called the Bakken pipeline, since it is taking the crude oil from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota. Since the beginning of the construction, there have been small protests from the local Native American Sioux tribe, but recently the protests have gotten much larger. The protestors have a strong argument. As with most oil production projects, the pipeline construction will involve despoiling lands and encroaching on communities. The North Dakota Access Pipeline project should be stopped because even though it is economically beneficial to the oil and energy industries, it is harmful
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No matter how safe people claim the pipelines to be, oil spills are still a danger to our water supplies. In her article, Devashree Saha explains, “The pipeline has also brought together environmentalists and climate activists intent on blocking the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure. They have raised concerns about the dangers of oil spills. A study by the International Energy Agency found that U.S. pipelines spilled three times as much crude oil as trains from 2004 to 2012.” So, this raises the question if the pipelines would be the safer transportation alternative. In her article, she comments on the opposing side’s argument about the environmental impact of the DAPL. She says, “Supporters of the project argue the pipeline represents the safest and most …show more content…
One of the original routes had the pipeline traveling very close to a small suburban area called Bismark. This alternative route was scrapped though, because they would not be able to keep the pipeline more than 500 miles away from any homes and it would be a danger to the community’s water supply. In Bismark’s local newspaper, there was an article that explained, “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers evaluated the Bismarck route and concluded it was not a viable option for many reasons. One reason mentioned in the agency’s environmental assessment is the proximity to wellhead source water protection areas that are avoided to protect municipal water supply wells.” (Dalrymple) Obviously, the government and Energy Transfer Partners are not concerned with the wellbeing of the Native American tribes. The pipeline will also be going into their reservation territory, but, “The Standing Rock Sioux maintains that the government did not properly consult with them prior to shifting the pipeline’s route, and that the new crossing would entail destruction of sacred spots and old burial grounds.” (Sidder). This is extremely disrespectful to the Native Americans, especially since the land that the pipeline will destroy was given to them by the government in the first place. This action will be infracting on treaties made between the
No matter how safe people claim the pipelines to be, oil spills are still a danger to our water supplies. In her article, Devashree Saha explains, “The pipeline has also brought together environmentalists and climate activists intent on blocking the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure. They have raised concerns about the dangers of oil spills. A study by the International Energy Agency found that U.S. pipelines spilled three times as much crude oil as trains from 2004 to 2012.” So, this raises the question if the pipelines would be the safer transportation alternative. In her article, she comments on the opposing side’s argument about the environmental impact of the DAPL. She says, “Supporters of the project argue the pipeline represents the safest and most …show more content…
One of the original routes had the pipeline traveling very close to a small suburban area called Bismark. This alternative route was scrapped though, because they would not be able to keep the pipeline more than 500 miles away from any homes and it would be a danger to the community’s water supply. In Bismark’s local newspaper, there was an article that explained, “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers evaluated the Bismarck route and concluded it was not a viable option for many reasons. One reason mentioned in the agency’s environmental assessment is the proximity to wellhead source water protection areas that are avoided to protect municipal water supply wells.” (Dalrymple) Obviously, the government and Energy Transfer Partners are not concerned with the wellbeing of the Native American tribes. The pipeline will also be going into their reservation territory, but, “The Standing Rock Sioux maintains that the government did not properly consult with them prior to shifting the pipeline’s route, and that the new crossing would entail destruction of sacred spots and old burial grounds.” (Sidder). This is extremely disrespectful to the Native Americans, especially since the land that the pipeline will destroy was given to them by the government in the first place. This action will be infracting on treaties made between the