Today President Donald Trump announced that he has approved the controversial Keystone Pipeline. This Pipeline will go from the rich oil deposits of Alberta, Canada, to the refineries of the Gulf Coast. This decision reverses the Obama Administration's decision to block the project. This comes after years of debate on the project itself, with many dissenters of the project stating that the risk of environmental destruction of animals and humans alike is not worth energy independence from countries in the Middle East and Venezuela. Environmentalists also stress that this pipeline will cut into the Ogalalla Aquifer, one of the worlds largest fresh water aquifers. Trump also states that this will be the first of many approvals for other pipelines and energy projects.
My reaction to this is that I'm not surprised by this approval at all. With the Secretary of State being a former CEO of Exxon-Mobil, it was only a matter of time before this project was going to get approved. This pipeline will not be sustainable to hold over 42,000 jobs like the Trump Administration predicts. That will only be for the construction. When it is all said an done, only about 50 permanent jobs will remain. This is a move that was made for short term profits for oil companies, and the environment is going to take a nasty blow from it.
I find it strange that people are still trying to justify using such an outdated form of energy as oil. It's a limited resource that is running out, and as evidenced by the controversy of this pipeline, it hurts communities to obtain. When we have so many alternatives that are cheaper and more environmentally friendly, what are we holding onto?
ReplyDeleteI agree, this approval did not surprise me at all. America seems to be extremely split on the treatment of our environments and natural resources. Sadly, those in power seem to be more interested in the money made in investments paired with nonconservative actions, rather than the protection of nature for future generations. It's a sad age to live in to watch the environment around us be eradicated for a non lasting profit.
ReplyDeleteYou've got that right. There's already been thousands of gallons leaked into the environment from the already existing pipelines. The fears surrounding the controversy regarding the Dakota access pipeline were right on the nose (considering there already has been a substantial leak into a nearby river). It would come as no surprise then when the same happens. But hey, who cares as long as the rich get richer, am I right guys?
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