11-18-2014: The number one issue in America is a growing economy. That means more good jobs. The president is WRONG on this issue. Perhaps today’s vote in the Senate will change his opinion.
A quick review. This is the proposed oil pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta, Canada to Houston, Texas and Port Arthur, Texas.
It now appears that the U.S. State Department sees no objection to approving the project. However, the U.S. Interior Department warns of possible harm to wildlife. Activists are primarily concerned with the possibility of oil spills.
Interestingly there is already a pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta to Cushing, Oklahoma. While the reports of oil spills from that pipeline are rare there has been little in the news that confirms that fact.
Furthermore the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline, 800 miles long, had its largest oil spill involving the main pipeline on February 15, 1978, when an unknown individual blew a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) hole in it at Steele Creek, just east of Fairbanks. Approximately 16,000 barrels of oil leaked out of the hole before the pipeline was shut down. Criminal mischief has been the primary cause of leaks. There are no reports of impact on wildlife.
The oil companies injected billions of dollars into the Alaska economy during the construction effort and the years afterward.
Of course environmentalists don’t want to hear the facts.
Coast Contact 