U.S. Environmental and Energy Policies
Building oil pipelines will create American jobs and, maybe, energy independence. Environmentalists who argue for “greener” sources of energy must change their tactics to prove that preserving Mother Nature is still important. Thus far, environmentalists have not convinced enough people that environmental stewardship and increasing domestic energy production are not mutually exclusive or a pipedream, no pun intended.
Environmentalists must prove the Keystone pipeline is inefficient in that production costs greatly outweigh any benefit gleaned from Keystone. Environmentalists can also appeal to the religious sympathies of President Trump, which helped him get elected, especially, with the Catholic Church being more vocal about protecting our environment. If enough supporters express their concern about avoiding environmental disasters, then he may change his policies. Though disasters from oil exploration have been relatively few, one spill can hurt the economy. Fishermen may lose income from an oil spill in the ocean. If oil reaches the costs, tourism-dependent business can also lose income.
Another concern is exploration on tribal land. Native Americans could be “forgotten,” if President Trump initiates oil drilling on tribal land against their wishes. Someone in this community provided a story about the Native Americans in South Dakota who won their case. Time will tell whether how long their victory lasts.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/24/presidential-memorandum-regarding-construction-keystone-xl-pipeline
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/01/24/trump-gives-green-light-to-dakota-access-keystone-xl-oil-pipelines/?utm_term=.80218423873f
Environmentalists must prove the Keystone pipeline is inefficient in that production costs greatly outweigh any benefit gleaned from Keystone. Environmentalists can also appeal to the religious sympathies of President Trump, which helped him get elected, especially, with the Catholic Church being more vocal about protecting our environment. If enough supporters express their concern about avoiding environmental disasters, then he may change his policies. Though disasters from oil exploration have been relatively few, one spill can hurt the economy. Fishermen may lose income from an oil spill in the ocean. If oil reaches the costs, tourism-dependent business can also lose income.
Another concern is exploration on tribal land. Native Americans could be “forgotten,” if President Trump initiates oil drilling on tribal land against their wishes. Someone in this community provided a story about the Native Americans in South Dakota who won their case. Time will tell whether how long their victory lasts.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/24/presidential-memorandum-regarding-construction-keystone-xl-pipeline
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/01/24/trump-gives-green-light-to-dakota-access-keystone-xl-oil-pipelines/?utm_term=.80218423873f