Keeping in mind that the professor, John Stansbury, who conducted this study is likely a Communist, liberal, tree hugging, anti-American that hates America, the World-Herald published an article today that really is a must read if you'd like to have a take on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline by someone who doesn't work for TransCanada, an ad agency, or who could be influenced by political donations.
I personally have a hard time taking this company, TransCanada, at it's word that our aquifer will be "safe" if their pipeline goes through. Keep in mind that the company itself estimates there will be eleven "significant" spills during the 50 years of it's useful life. When it comes to drinking water and irrigation, I'm inclined to think that's eleven too many- especially when we can find a way to route this thing elsewhere, where it doesn't cross over the Aquifer. Money is nice, but it's pretty tough to drink it from what I can tell. Anyone who thinks gold is our most precious resource has never been thirsty I guess.
As far as using the worst-case scenario as a method of analysis, the flood taking place right now is pushing the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Plant to it's limits, a plant that was designed to withstand what most experts believed to be the worst-case. No reason at all we shouldn't hold this pipeline to a similar standard.
I was watching a show called Planets the other day, and one thing scientists have discovered is that water is the one thing needed for life to exist. Our water sources are not something to be trifled with. I wish I could have more faith that TransCanada is not putting profits ahead of the risk of disaster, but I wasn't born yesterday. The oil spill in the Gulf is still fresh in my mind. We'd better be damn sure the Ogallala Aquifer isn't at serious risk if this pipeline is built.
ReplyDeleteYeah, like I said in an earlier post, better stock up on Aquafina and Evian if this thing goes through. The CEO can say what he wants about not being willing to risk his company's reputation, but when has a CEO never not received his obscene salary in the wake of these disasters? The current Keystone pipeline has had a number of leaks, some of them rather large. Here's a link to that column: http://www.omaha.com/article/20110718/NEWS0802/707189993/-1#transcanada-proposed-keystone-pipeline-will-be-safe
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