Lauren Brady Period 4 September 17, 2016 North Dakota Access Pipeline Debate

          In the Bakken area of North Dakota, the oil potential is extraordinary. The estimated amount of oil in the formation is 7.4 billion barrels. A pipeline, named the North Dakota access pipeline, was to be created to transport about half a million barrels (374.5 million gallons of gasoline) per day from Bakken through South Dakota and Iowa into Illinois, where it will be shipped around the country. The pipeline offers a safer and more efficient way to transport oil over railroads and trucks. Also it could create up to 12,000 construction jobs and 40 permanent jobs. It would also be a large source of sales and income taxes ($156 million) as well as $55 million in income taxes. However, the pipeline has sparked debate amongst environmentalists, who are concerned with spillage, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The Native Americans argue that the pipeline infringes on sacred grounds and water resources. They sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers because they did not ask the tribe before permitting construction, but did not receive a hold on construction. Surprisingly, the president decided, an hour later, to pause construction until the conflict had been resolved. For now, the pipeline is not progressing in construction, and its future is ambiguous.

          Oil is a major part of the US economy, both in imports and exports. The amount of oil created would be a large step towards energy independence, which is a necessary step for the economy. It would also created a large amount of money through taxes, which is beneficial for local, state, and national purposes. The jobs created would boost the local economy in multiple ways, which is always desired. The environmental risks, however, are concerning. The risk of spillage, although lower than that of trains and truck, is still a glaring uncertainty. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe also fears that the pipeline will destroy their grounds and resources, which is dangerous for their survival. Even though the pipeline is currently not being built, the pause is temporary, so it is yet to be seen whether it will ever be built. This is like the Lakeview Gusher Number One in 1910. The technology for drilling was lacking, with little to no safeguards against a blowout. People also fear the the North Dakota Access Pipeline could be a risk for spillage, which would be hard to clean up. These types of pipelines are not infallible, so is the risk worth the reward?


Source: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2016/09/14/five-things-to-know-about-the-north-dakota-access-pipeline-debate/