Environmental | THE BLACK LADDER

Keystone Pipeline deal may strike oil

by: Dr. Samori Swygert

According to an article published by the New York Times, the controversial approval of the Keystone Pipeline may be approaching soon.

Copy and paste this link for NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE : www.nytimes.com/2014/02/01/us/politics/report-may-ease-way-to-approval-of-keystone-pipeline.html?_r=0

The pipeline would extend from Canada all the way to the Gulf Coast. The geographical dimensions would account for 1,700 miles of pipeline , and has a speculated output of 830,000 barrels of oil a day. One barrel of oil contains 42 gallons.

Weighing the benefits and risks

The major controversy is positioned between the environmental and economic impact. Many lobby and environmental groups raise legitimate concerns about the impact of global warming, Greenhouse gases, and carbon emission. The groups that show opposition to the possible approval are : NextGen Climate, The National Wildlife Federation, and Friends of the Earth. The Inspector General had conducted an investigation in which the State Department released an environmental impact report. The report appeared to lessen the extent or severity of environmental impact from construction of the Keystone Pipeline. The report also notes a potential 17% increase in Greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction.

However, the article in the New York Times pointed out that a member of the TransCanada company (the company that will participate in construction) helped draft the environmental report. This resulted in a high point of critique on conflict of interests.

President Barack Obama is on record for expressing concerns about the environmental impact. However, the report of reduced environmental havoc may influence the President to approve the construction.

This is a critical issue because the United States has consistently expressed future goals of establishing independence on foreign oil reserves. Moreover, this may foster a stronger bond between America and Canada as indicated in the article. Lastly, this is an opportunity for job creation, and everybody in America understands the severity of the unemployment rate. The article references creation of 3,900 jobs for constructing the pipeline. I’m sure other jobs will be created that are associated with it, such as; operations and maintenance.

The Alternative to the Keystone Pipeline

The alternative to this is the transport of Canadian oil sands via railway, but industry leaders are skeptical due to the risk of recent railway derailments and explosions. This alternative includes more risks. Citizens of the towns in or around the prospected tracts of construction have to juggle between jobs and the risk of health. We’ve seen what happened in West Virginia when a coal company haphazardly leaked thousands of gallons of a toxic coal cleaner into the city’s water, and put 300,000 people at risk. The leak also inconvenienced restaurants, and other local businesses.

Ultimately John Kerry has to evaluate all the data within the report and has to meet with various American agencies like the EPA, Department of Commerce and more.

I truly hope that the Executive Branch, and the corporate portion of the deal are operating at the highest standards of care and integrity. What we sacrifice for profit will only resurface as an expense later. Neglecting to responsibly account for the environment will reveal itself as new budget items, and present itself as a new national crisis. We also must expand our research into solar like China, and other renewable energy resources.

What are your thoughts??

Troubling: Possible Nuclear Waste Dump to Affect Michigan and Canada Drinking Water

By: Dr. Swygert

I read an interesting article that I would like to share with our reading community. Keith Matheny, a contributor for the Detroit Free Press, published an article on October 27, 2013. The article is entitled, “Fears surface over Lake Huron nuke dump proposal”.

The article highlighted that a small community named Kincardine in Ontario, Canada is engaged in a battle with a local energy company. The alleged company’s name is Ontario Power Generation. The issue at hand is that the company allegedly wants to construct a nuclear waste repository in Lake Huron. This geographical location shares proximity between both Michigan, and Canada.

The company plans to build limestone repository 2,200 feet underground, and capped with a 660-foot layer of shale stone. The citizens in Michigan and Ontario are expressing legitimate skepticism, and reservation. According to the article, 24 million Americans get their drinking water from the Great Lakes, Michigan has a $2.4 billion fishing industry, and accounts for $13 billion tourism industry.

A progressive nonprofit citizens group, Stop the Great Lakes Nuclear Dump, started an online petition and has already gathered tens of thousands of signatures. Citizens are upset that the company is making life altering decisions generated by a company that has an impact on millions of people. Based on the article, the company was in communication with Michigan officials about the plans, however no formal period for public comments or forums were made available to the citizens to discuss concerns. The nonprofit group’s voice is not alone, two other environmental entities are providing some pushback. The Michigan United Conservation Clubs, and The Michigan Boating Industries Association are joining in to express concern.

The company said that they are trying to build a repository that can last for at least a million years. The company also asserts that they are conducting research and surveys to account for leakage risks from earthquakes, and future ice glaciers. The company bolsters their position that construction of this would create jobs for the citizens.

My thoughts

I think that both Michigan and Canadian citizens raise legitimate concerns about construction of this repository. When I think of the devastating birth defects from the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I have to really scrutinize this from all angles. I’m also considering the environmental impact of the Fukushima nuclear reactor spill that has hurt Japan. This spill rendered all water and seafood unfit for consumption. I’m wondering can the nuclear waste be recycled through some chemical process, or be used in Aerospace operations. I don’t know if they can, but just throwing out possible ideas. However, I also understand the position of one of the surveyors in the article. To paraphrase he said “would you rather have this nuclear waste stored in a plant above ground miles away from individuals?” This is a true quagmire. I wonder can we arrive at a safe, logical and harmonious compromise.

I often say to myself, “our inventions will be our assassins”. We develop a lot of innovative science and technology, but sometimes we create our own Pandora’s Box. I think we can be better stewards of our environment, and be good to Mother Nature. We can’t grow anymore land. We live on an exact and finite mass, so let’s protect it and be more concerned. I like my Evian, Flounder, Whiting, and Pollock.

What are your thoughts and feelings about this?

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