The U.S. Already Has a Safe Network of Pipelines That Are An Integral Part of Our Energy System
The map above (click to enlarge) shows the existing, extensive network of energy pipelines in the U.S. with the following code: green for oil, red for gas, and blue for products such as gasoline, propane and ethylene.
In a temporary victory for environmentalists, the Obama administration has delayed its decision on whether to approve the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline until after the 2012 election, which further delays the creation of 20,000 jobs for this "shovel-ready" project. Environmentalists claim that the Keystone XL pipeline's route across the Midwest "would endanger sensitive lands and drinking water supplies."
With all of the environmentalism NIMBYism/alarmism about the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline, it might be a good time to point out that: a) the United States already has a huge network of existing pipelines for oil, natural gas and gasoline illustrated in the map above, b) pipelines have been used successfully and safely in the U.S. for more than 100 years, and c) pipelines are an integral part of our domestic energy system. In other words, we live safely with energy pipelines every day and the Keystone XL pipeline would simply become one new part of an existing and extensive pipeline network that makes a significant contribution to America's dependable and affordable energy.
HT: Dwight Oglesby
17 Comments:
Here's a shovel-ready job that will be a net gain to the taxpayers, create thousands of jobs, and even please Obama's union buddies. Still, the coward kicks the can down the road.
This is why Rick Perry was right in saying it would take 20 years to build a fence on the Mexican border. Environmental impact studies, Democrat obstructionism, union labor, etc create endless delays to what would be a speedy project in most of the developing world.
"Still, the coward kicks the can down the road"...
Nailed it perfectly as usual Paul...
From the CBC: Obama confronted by Keystone protesters in Denver
The unions are getting something for that non-decision; they are silent, enough said!
Safety has never been the real issue for the greens. They just hate the markets and capitalism.
This action indicates that the White House isn't serious about job creation nor energy independence. So much for "transforming our politics".
My understanding it is rural Texans who put the kibosh on the pipeline.
Tell people in Kalamazoo how safe these pipelines are.
Thr bigger story here is that the pipeline non-decision is just another indication that the US has "checked and balanced" itself into a complete standstill.
Wether it be healthcare reform, a SS fix, a debt reduction plan, a much needed new bridge between Detroit and Windsor or this "no brainer" pipeline...the US simply cannot act...on anything anymore.
It seems that the only thing Americans can all agree on at any one time is to fire up the B52s and aircraft carriers and roar off to some distant land.
The shippers were tied to Keystone XL for a certain amount of time...if enough of them pull out by the deadline XL might be dead no matter what happens in a year and a half.
The oil is going to go over the rockies and be loaded onto tankers. In the long run that may be a better outcome for the oil producers anyway.
So dither away USA...today/this week the markets are saying that this delay/death is no big deal...and in the future might tell us that the alternate is better.
Shoudda, woudda, coudda...
safe pipelines? right off the top, i can think of three recent accidents...the enbridge spill into the kalamazoo river & lake michigan last year, the 4th of july exxon pipeline rupture near bozeman MT spilling thousands of barrels into the pristine yellowstone river, and the gas pipeline explosion that killed at least 8 & levelled half of san bruno last year...
vangel, re: "They just hate the markets and capitalism" ...that's funny, pipeline opponents i know in nebraska are rather conservative capitalistic corn farmers who are the type who fly the flag every holiday...their concern is not only for their farmland, but the permeable nebraska sandhills which the proposed pipeline would cross, giving any oil leak a direct channel to the ogallala aquifer, their water source, and the water source for parts of 8 states in the great plains...
& if any of you think for a minute that obama held this up for a few environmentalists, you dont understand obama...he wouldnt have moved on this unless he could see the polls running in his favor...he is driven by getting re-elected, & nothing more...
Safe is used here in a relative sense, like driving your car is relatively safe. Perfection in the form of NO deaths EVER, and absolutely NO environmental impact EVER are not options.
"Tell people in Kalamazoo how safe these pipelines are"...
How would life be for the folks in Kalamazoo without pipelines?
"It seems that the only thing Americans can all agree on at any one time is to fire up the B52s and aircraft carriers and roar off to some distant land"...
Is that suppose to be a bad thing?
"that's funny, pipeline opponents i know in nebraska are rather conservative capitalistic corn farmers who are the type who fly the flag every holiday"...
Yeah, right and some people think Romney is a conservative...
What's your point?
safe pipelines? right off the top, i can think of three recent accidents...the enbridge spill into the kalamazoo river & lake michigan last year, the 4th of july exxon pipeline rupture near bozeman MT spilling thousands of barrels into the pristine yellowstone river, and the gas pipeline explosion that killed at least 8 & levelled half of san bruno last year...
Do you use gasoline? Do you fly on airplanes that use kerosene? Do you use plastics, cloth that uses artificial fibers, and other petroleum products? How do you think that the oil gets to the market?
vangel, re: "They just hate the markets and capitalism" ...that's funny, pipeline opponents i know in nebraska are rather conservative capitalistic corn farmers who are the type who fly the flag every holiday...their concern is not only for their farmland, but the permeable nebraska sandhills which the proposed pipeline would cross, giving any oil leak a direct channel to the ogallala aquifer, their water source, and the water source for parts of 8 states in the great plains...
There is no danger to the aquifer from surface leaks. There never has been. And as I pointed out above, the farmers do use diesel, gasoline, and pesticides so they clearly do not have a problem with using fossil fuels. They are not the people protesting Obama's actions at his rallies and have every right not to allow a pipeline to be built on their land if they do not wish to. The protesters are mostly green groups who have an anti-capitalist agenda. Obama owes them and needs them to win so he will do what they want even if it means lost jobs and higher oil prices.
As I said, I have no problem with this. I think that there is more money to be made by refining the oil in Canada and by selling the end products to the Asian markets. The financing for a pipeline to the West Coast is clearly avaiable and there are customers willing to sign long term contracts for all the oil the tar sands companies can produce.
& if any of you think for a minute that obama held this up for a few environmentalists, you dont understand obama...he wouldnt have moved on this unless he could see the polls running in his favor...he is driven by getting re-elected, & nothing more...
Obama needs his base to come out or he is toast. He will do what he is told by his handlers even if it means lost jobs.
rjs: "...that's funny, pipeline opponents i know in nebraska are rather conservative capitalistic corn farmers who are the type who fly the flag every holiday..."
Is there any corn grown in Nebraska?
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