Category: Environment

September 20, 2016

John Hanno Posted on Standing Rock Sioux Facebook 124 Likes

A True Conservative?

The environmental community has quit trying to influence the U.S. Congress. Unless Citizens United is overturned, there’s no hope of a comprehensive energy reform bill that must place alternative sustainable energy ahead of business as usual fossil fuel interests. Even when oil was well over $100 a barrel and we had (and have) an enormous glut of oil reserves, Congress wouldn’t even discuss eliminating oil subsidies. And at the same time, alt right Republicans labeled incentives for wind and solar as socialist plots to undermine America’s energy independence.

Red state legislatures, regulatory agencies and consequently their state courts are joined at the hip with fossil fuel corporations. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and even some in blue states Illinois and California have sold their souls to the drilling, fracking, injecting and pipeline devils and forsaken the health and safety of their residents.

When America can’t depend on their elected officials (Sorry Flint) to protect its citizens basic rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, our political process is broken and democratic principles destroyed.

Even though alternative energy is growing exponentially and getting cheaper by the hour, red states routinely side with fossil fuel, and oppose wind and solar at every turn. Red state officials blessed with the greatest wind and solar potential often erect obstacles to residents willing to invest in those energies.

But in spite of this opposition, even some red state sectors are joining the revolution. North Carolina (unlike sunny red states Florida and Arizona) has overcome staunch opposition, to become the number 2 state with installed solar, behind only California. Oil rich Texas (number one) and Iowa (number two), now produce more wind energy than they can reliably deliver to cities in need because of a lack of infrastructure.

The potential for renewable energy is irrefutable. Depending on who’s opinion you use; “Sunlight Striking Earth’s Surface in Just One Hour Delivers Enough Energy to Power the World Economy for an Entire Year.” or “In 14 and a half seconds, the sun provides as much energy to Earth as humanity uses in a day.” or There’s enough wind energy potential within the corridor from Texas up through Illinois to power the entire nation, if only the electrical power grid infrastructure were in place. Our Energy Department has invested in tidal research but we haven’t scratched the surface of that energy. Although our U.S. government and military have put more than $330 million into marine energy research over the past decade, Britain and Europe have invested more than $1 billion. We can do better. The DOE believes 20 to 30% of America’s energy could come from wave energy. They just announced our first wave generated energy went online this week in Hawaii. The power travels by undersea cable to a military base, where it feeds into Oahu’s power grid.

The environmental and progressive communities have joined Native American sovereign nations (the original environmentalists) because we believe they have the advantage of being almost universal in their opposition to fossil fuel interests and in their desire to protect their soil and water. If our U.S. Congress is serious about honoring their treaties with sovereign Nation Tribes, they must not bulldoze their lands and jeopardize their water. The world is watching. Standing Rock Chairman Dave Archambault II spoke to the 49-member U. N. Council today in Geneva Switzerland, in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Canada and America are under siege from Canadian Company Enbridge’s Pipeline Network Expansion. We opposed Enbridge when they wanted to run pipeline 78 across our organic farm. That pipeline joins with Flanagan South pipeline at Patoka, IL, the termination of Dakota Access. When we refused to sign the easement, they filed an eminent domain action. You can read our story at gofundme.com/2xpggwfw.

Enbridge has invested $1.5 billion in Dakota Access (the Bakken Pipeline System), after cancelled plans for the $2.6 billion, 616 mile Sandpiper Pipeline Project, a pipeline running from the Bakken field in North Dakota, across blue state Minnesota (land of 10,000 lakes) to Superior, Wisconsin. Enbridge blamed low energy prices and “extensive and unprecedented regulatory delays and irregularities,” (Go Minnesota). But the Sandpiper Project faced strong protests from environmentalists and Native American tribes and support from their elected officials. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said the pipeline would have crossed 28 rivers, lakes and wetlands. These threatened, ecologically sensitive areas couldn’t be reached by existing roads. How could Enbridge have possibly discovered, controlled or re-mediated an oil spill? (Google Kalamazoo River Oil Spill)

The Texas state legislature (and legislatures in other red states like Oklahoma, Ohio and Pennsylvania as well) have overturned any attempt by cities and communities to place common sense local restrictions on drilling, fracking, injection wells and pipelines. You can drill, frack, inject or place pipelines within shouting distance of homes, schools and businesses. And their state Environmental Protection Agencies turn a blind eye, as they did in Flint, Michigan. Who in their right mind would invest hard earned money in a home or business in these environments? And why would voters reelect candidates who would devalue their homes, properties and communities?

If you’re a true conservative, you must favor alternative sustainable energy over fossil fuel. If you believe in god and his blessings of clean air, fertile soil and pure water, then you must support the Standing Rock Earth Protectors. And if you worry about your children’s and grand children’s future, you must vote in November for only earth protectors. This election is an important turning point in the fight to preserve humanity. If your candidates deny climate change or say they aren’t scientists and don’t know enough to make rational decisions about our climate and comprehensive energy reform, kick them to the curb. They’re too ignorant to deserve your vote.

More than 100,000 protectors, Native tribes, farmers, landowners and activists from Bold Nebraska, the Sierra Club, IL Climate Activists, 350.org, Bold Iowa and others, inspired President Obama to decide against approving Keystone XL.

I believe American’s can stop Keystone clone Dakota Access and also shut down Line 3 and it’s replacement if we stand up in unprecedented numbers. It’s our responsibility as thinking human beings, to oppose and delay the damage being done by fossil fuel interests, including the banks and investors they’re leveraged to, until sustainable energy can prevail.

More than 100,000 concerned folks have already shown support for this peaceful Native American DAPL protest and donated close to a million dollars to their valiant cause. The Sacred Stone Camp Protectors have earned the respect and support of America’s environmental and progressive communities. Native Americans have a sacred and spiritual connection to their land and water. They and most farm families cherish the blessings Americans have been given with fertile land and pure water. I believe the only hope of stopping this pipeline insanity lies with President Obama and an executive order. But President Obama has stated many times that he can’t act alone. Common Sense American’s must stand up in such numbers that the President can’t ignore his duty to protect our environment. Please Vote in November for earth protectors!

Michele  May I share your comments? Very well presented and your story is one others should hear.

John   Absolutely

John       Enbridge is a Canadian company. No matter how many different convoluted entities they form down here, they are still a foreign company. A foreign company taking American’s property by eminent domain in violation of the 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. And while the crazies are worried that our guvment will take their guns away, corporations are stealing the land, water and minerals right out from under them.

Michele   Go Standing Rock Protectors and Iowa Farmers.

I wish I could post that!! That’s it in a nutshell. I love it!!

John  Post away!

Anon    surely these “crazies ” you speak of are as passionate about something they believe in as you are also regarding this dreadful state of affairs with the oil pipeline…..its valid for both……also, how do you know that they are not supporting you John, they could certainly be doing so because it boils down to, people being treated in a bad way, guess it just depends on the perspective either a glass half full or a glass half empty……I say this with respect and no offense intended……

John    Sorry,  And none taken. I was only talking about the folks who are duped by and obsess over those issues that divide us instead of the important things that should bring us together.

John Hanno, tarbabys.com        September 15, 2016

“Dakota Access 2.0”

I knew Native American tribes and protesting landowners couldn’t rely on our state courts to save America’s precious water and valuable farmland from the Dakota Access Pipeline Operators. Red State courts are joined at the hip with the fossil fuel industry. I also believed there was only a slim chance U.S. District Judge Boasberg would rule in favor of the Standing Rock Sioux.

Once the Army Corps approves these pipelines, its a done deal. They’re routinely rubber stamped by controlling State agencies; the Public Service Commission in North Dakota, the Commerce Commission in Illinois (ICC) and the Iowa Utilities Board, a three person board appointed by Republican Governor Brandstad. Once the pipeline company is granted eminent domain authority, they threaten and intimidate landowners into signing easements. And that authority ties the hands of state courts. The only issue these state courts then rule on is the compensation to the landowners. And its seldom in the landowners favor. Landowners aren’t even allowed to testify concerning the value of their own land, no matter how many generations (Centennial Farms) they’ve owned that land.

Enbridge (who just purchased 49% of DAPL) wanted to run pipeline 78 across our organic farm. Pipeline 78 and Flanagan South pipeline join Dakota Assess at Patoka, IL. The easement they wanted, granted them the ability to “abandon in place” when they’re finished with the pipeline. We know landowners and the American taxpayer will be stuck digging up the more than 250,000 mile of rusting pipelines, leaking into our precious water supplies. When we refused to sign the easement, they filed eminent domain. We lost in state court; but appealed the case. You can read about our fight against Enbridge at gofundme.com/2xpggwfw.

Based on that fight, I believe the court action blocking eminent domain actions against Iowa landowners and farmers is only a temporary obstacle for DAPO. Those landowners can only hope their case is eventually decided by the Iowa Supreme Court. This abuse of eminent domain principles by private and foreign corporations for private gain not only violates the 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution but also violates Native American treaties and sovereignty, and should be roundly condemned by state supreme courts and eventually the U.S. Supreme Court.  Even though many of these state courts are packed with very conservative, business friendly judges, I just can’t believe any true conservative would favor these private interests over property owners.

There is hope; several contested eminent domain actions have been addressed by State Supreme Courts. The Kentucky Supreme Court has let stand an appeals court decision that said only regulated utility companies can use the power of eminent domain to take land for pipelines. Tony Arnold, A University of Louisville law professor, an expert on environmental law, said the Kentucky Supreme Court decision was “significant for both opponents of the Bluegrass Pipeline and for all Kentucky residents who want to ensure that the exercise of eminent domain for energy development and transmission is held accountable to the public interest.”

A Pennsylvania appeals court rejected an action by Sunoco to dismiss a challenge to it’s Mariner 2 pipeline. Environmental group, The Clean Air Council can now argue against the company using eminent domain to build the pipeline.

Within minutes of Judge Boasberg’s ruling against Standing Rock Sioux, they caught a Hail Mary pass from a joint decision of the Departments of Justice, Army, Interior and probably from the White House and President Obama. The Corp said “The Army will not authorize constructing the Dakota Access pipeline on Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe until it can determine whether it will need to reconsider any of its previous decisions regarding the Lake Oahe site under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or other federal laws….”

Based on this joint decision, it appears the administration is willing to revisit the impact of these fossil fuel time-bombs in the context of these larger issues; and also on global warming and climate change, as they did with Keystone XL.

Canada, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and other states are under siege from Canadian Company Enbridge’s pipeline network expansion and their mad rush to blanket America in pipelines before sustainable energy progress makes fossil fuel assets obsolete.

Enbridge recently announced they would cancel plans for the $2.6 billion, 616 mile Sandpiper Pipeline Project, a pipeline running from the Bakken field in North Dakota, across Minnesota (land of 10,000 lakes) to Superior, Wisconsin. Enbridge blamed low energy prices and “extensive and unprecedented regulatory delays and irregularities,” (Go Minnesota). But Sandpiper faced strong protests from environmentalists and Native American tribes. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said the pipeline would have crossed 28 rivers, lakes and wetlands. These threatened, ecologically sensitive areas couldn’t be reached by existing roads. How could Enbridge have possibly discovered, controlled or re-mediated an oil spill? (Google Kalamazoo River Oil Spill) Enbridge has instead invested $1.5 billion in this Bakken Pipeline System (DAPL).

The Justice Department also stated: “Furthermore, this case has highlighted the need for a serious discussion on whether there should be nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes’ views on these types of infrastructure projects….” including “protection of tribal lands, resources and treaty rights….”

“Midwest Alliance for Infrastructure Now, was critical of the Obama administration’s move in a statement, calling it “deeply troubling” and saying it could have a chilling effect on infrastructure development in the U.S.”

WELL LETS CERTAINLY HOPE SO! We need infrastructure projects beneficial to all American’s (including Native Americans) and not just oil, gas and pipeline companies, their executives and their financial benefactors. America needs comprehensive energy reform, not a country riddled with oil, gas and injection wells, oozing and leaking, contaminating fertile farm soil and precious water supplies and shifting our tectonic plates (Hello shaky Oklahoma). And instead of 250,000 miles of ticking time bomb pipelines, how about 250,000 miles of 100 ft wide bike paths. Can you even imagine the benefits. A big win, win, win; keep FF in the ground, save energy by biking instead of driving and at the same time, we improve our health and lower Obama Care costs. And they would cost a minute fraction of these pipelines.

Alternative energy is growing exponentially and fossil fuels will must obsolete within 20 years, if mankind is to survive. Little Costa Rica’s electric grid has been powered entirely by its mix of hydro power, wind, solar, geothermal and biomass for 150 days so far this year. Since June 16th, they’ve gone 90 plus consecutive days and counting, in which all electricity has come from renewable resources. In 2015, they were powered by 99% renewable. Although Costa Rica is blessed with favorable alt energy potential, (80% of their power comes from hydro power) America can and must do better! We are blessed with substantial solar and wind power potential, if only we would take full advantage, instead of pandering to fossil fuel and their desperate campaign against wind and solar progress and subsidies.

The Justice Department went on: “Finally, we fully support the rights of all Americans to assemble and speak freely…” “In recent days, we have seen demonstrators come together peacefully, with support from scores of sovereign tribal governments, to exercise their First Amendment rights and to voice heartfelt concerns about the environment and historic, sacred sites.  It is now incumbent on all of us to develop a path forward that serves the broadest public interest.”

The “broadest public interest” must include the welfare of Native Americans, (the very first environmentalists) and everyone else who cherishes our blessings of clean air, fertile soil and pure water. I think the half dozen or more letters sent to the White House and signed on by 100’s of thousands of Native Americans, environmentalists, farmers, landowners and fed-up American’s, obviously had an impact on the President and his administration. Social Media (and not just in America) is watching and talking and commenting (even in Laos) and filming and they refuse to allow our Native American brothers and sisters to get dumped on again. And they’re sick and tired of the fossil fuel industry and their paid political lackeys, denying climate change, ignoring overwhelming scientific proof of global warming, controlling the energy agenda by refusing to support comprehensive energy reform and obfuscating and fighting at every turn (Exxon Mobile), the potential of sustainable alternative energy.

Justice added: “The Army will move expeditiously to make this determination, as everyone involved — including the pipeline company and its workers — deserves a clear and timely resolution….”

But President Obama has stated many times that he can’t act alone. Lacking any support from the Republican controlled Congress, It will take overwhelming support from the American Public for him to take executive action. The DAPL opponent’s job now, is to turn the Army Corps “expeditious and timely resolution” into a peaceful slow walk. If they can stall this pipeline through this winter, anything can happen. Cushing, Oklahoma can’t find anywhere else to stockpile surplus oil. And all those earthquakes are striking closer to those storage terminals.

More than 100,000 water and soil protectors, Native tribes, farmers, landowners and activists from Bold Nebraska, the Sierra Club, IL Climate Activists, Bold Iowa, 350.org  and others, inspired President Obama to decide against approving Keystone XL.

This stand by the Native Tribe’s affiliated with the Sacred Stone Camp has struck a nerve with America’s environmental and progressive communities. Unlike fossil fuel proponents and their political panderers, these Native Americans have a sacred and spiritual connection to their land and water. They and most farm families cherish the blessings Americans have been given with fertile land and pure water.

Common Sense American’s, including True Conservatives, must stand up in such numbers that the President can’t ignore his duty to protect our environment. Contact your elected officials and especially the White House. Support Bold Nebraska, IL Climate Activists, 350 Kiswaukee, MN350, The Sierra Club, Resilience, Action Network.org, Bold Iowa, the Sacred Stone Camp gofundme campaign and anyone else who believes in environmental common sense. And please don’t forget to vote in November. Fossil fuel pandering politicians, cherish campaign contributions but could care less about American’s, their air, their soil, their precious drinking water, and their children’s and grandchildren’s future. This election is an important turning point in the fight to preserve humanity. If your candidates deny climate change or say they aren’t scientists and don’t know enough to make rational decisions about our climate and comprehensive energy reform, kick them to the curb. They’re too ignorant or corrupt to deserve your vote. I believe our Native American brothers and sisters might stop this pipeline. John Hanno

Rich Yes, vote them all out

John, Rich  Not all of them, just the ones that don’t know the difference between oil and water.

John Hanno response to     http://www.resilience.org/stories/2016-10-03/standing-firm-at-standing-rock-why-the-struggle-is-bigger-than-one-pipeline

September 10, 2016

“There Are No Safe Pipelines”

We stand with Dakota Access water protectors. We fought to protect the well on our small organic farm in Illinois. Canadian Co. Enbridge, who just purchased 49% of DAPL, wanted to run line 78 across our farm. Line 78 connects with Flanagan South and then DAPL at Patoka, Illinois. Our fight with Enbridge is at gofundme.com/2xpggwfw.

We also joined many environmental organizations in the Midwest trying to protect the Great Lakes, which holds one fifth of the worlds fresh water. Our well water comes from the Great Lakes Basin aquifer. We’re involved in the fights against the onslaught of Enbridge’s pipeline expansion in the Great Lakes region. We support the efforts to shutdown line 3 and it’s replacement in Wisconsin, and line 5, which runs through the straights of Mackinac. We supported Minnesotan’s who stopped Sandpiper. We support those fighting against Plains pipeline company trying to get approval to ship heavy crude through a 98 year old pipeline (built in 1918) that runs under the St Clair river and upstream of the Detroit and other communities water intakes. We don’t need another Flint. Michigan disaster.

A Miami Herald article this week reported that: “Exxon Mobil Corp. will pay $12 million for environmental damages caused by a pipeline break that spilled 63,000 gallons (238,474 liters) of crude into Montana’s Yellowstone River and prompted a national debate over lax pipeline safety rules….”

The simple fact is that there are no safe oil pipelines, especially tar sand pipelines. This is why the Standing Rock Protectors fighting DAPL, are standing their ground and will not give up. Pipelines are: made of steel, buried in the ground, sometimes underwater, carry corrosive substances (even sand particles), under extremely high pressure and subject to corroding, rusting, delaminating, chemical reactions and bursting wide open. And all the assurances given by pipeline companies that they have the latest safeguards are bull pucky. In every pipeline spill, the autopsy was the same: “the pipeline company failed” (fill in the blank), to detect, to respond to, to respond to quickly enough, to get to the remote location, due to inclement weather, by thinking the alarms were a mistake, by stopping the pumping but then starting again. The NTSB described Enbridge’s response to the Kalamazoo River spill as “the Keystone Cops.” That 2010 tar sand spill is still not fully cleaned up and never will be. They just purchased 49% of Dakota Access.

This Montana pipeline, which is upstream of Billings, contaminated 85 miles of the Yellowstone River. This is exactly why Standing Rock Native Americans are so opposed to a pipeline upstream of their Rez. Who knows how far a spill would travel down the  Missouri? Probably to the Gulf of Mexico. It could contaminate drinking water for 17 million or more American’s

This Montana pipeline was 20 year old. Kalamazoo River line 6B was 40 years old and had at least 15,000 defects. The Santa Barbara pipeline was 46 years old. Google the pictures; it looks like a 50 year old excavated tin can. Some recent spills in Alberta were in very young pipelines (one was only 2 years old). The 65 year old Enbridge Line 5 pipeline under the straights of Mackinac, could contaminate at least 2 Great Lakes and at least 700 miles of shoreline in Canada and the U.S. if it bursts.  And if that’s not risky enough, Plains pipeline company is trying to get approval to ship heavy crude through a 98 year old pipeline (built in 1918) that runs under the St Clair river and upstream of the Detroit and other communities water intakes. America, you’ve lost your Fracking mind!

The environmental community has quit trying to influence the U.S. Congress. Unless Citizens United is overturned, there’s no hope of a comprehensive energy reform bill that must place alternative sustainable energy ahead of business as usual fossil fuel interests. Even when oil was well over $100 a barrel and we had (and have) an enormous glut of oil reserves, Congress wouldn’t even discuss eliminating oil subsidies. And at the same time, alt right Republicans labeled incentives for wind and solar as socialist plots to undermine America’s energy independence.

Red state legislatures, their regulatory agencies and consequently their state courts are joined at the hip with fossil fuel corporations. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and even some in blue states Illinois and California have sold their souls to the drilling, fracking, injecting and pipeline devils and forsaken the health and safety of their residents.

When America can’t depend on their elected officials (Sorry Flint) to protect its citizens basic rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, our political process is broken and democratic principles destroyed.

Even though alternative energy is growing exponentially and getting cheaper by the hour, red states routinely side with fossil fuel, and oppose wind and solar at every turn. Red state officials blessed with the greatest wind and solar potential often erect obstacles to residents willing to invest in those energies.

The Texas state legislature (and legislatures in other red states like Oklahoma, Ohio and Pennsylvania as well) have overturned any attempt by cities and communities to place common sense local restrictions on drilling, fracking, injection wells and pipelines. You can drill, frack, inject or place pipelines within shouting distance of homes, schools and businesses. And their state Environmental Protection Agencies turn a blind eye, as they did in Flint, Michigan. Who in their right mind would invest hard earned money in a home or business in these environments? And why would voters reelect candidates who would devalue their homes, properties and communities?

But in spite of this opposition, even some red state sectors are joining the revolution. North Carolina (unlike sunny red states Florida and Arizona) has overcome staunch opposition, to become the number 2 state with installed solar, behind only California. Oil rich Texas (number one) and Iowa (number two), now produce more wind energy than they can reliably deliver to cities in need because of a lack of infrastructure.

The potential for renewable energy is irrefutable. Depending on who’s opinion you use; “Sunlight Striking Earth’s Surface in Just One Hour Delivers Enough Energy to Power the World Economy for an Entire Year.” or “In 14 and a half seconds, the sun provides as much energy to Earth as humanity uses in a day.” or There’s enough wind energy potential within the corridor from Texas up through Illinois to power the entire nation, if only the electrical power grid infrastructure were in place. Our Energy Department has invested in tidal research but we haven’t scratched the surface of that energy. Although our U.S. government and military have put more than $330 million into marine energy research over the past decade, Britain and Europe have invested more than $1 billion. We can do better. The DOE believes 20 to 30% of America’s energy could come from wave energy. They just announced our first wave generated energy went online this week in Hawaii. The power travels by undersea cable to a military base, where it feeds into Oahu’s power grid. America’s first off shore wind farm went online last week and will produce enough energy for 17,000 homes.

If you’re a true conservative, you must favor alternative sustainable energy over fossil fuel. If you believe in god and his blessings of clean air, fertile soil and pure water, then you must support the Standing Rock Earth Protectors. And if you worry about your children’s and grand children’s future, you must vote in November for only earth protectors. This election is an important turning point in the fight to preserve humanity. If your candidates deny climate change or say they aren’t scientists and don’t know enough to make rational decisions about our climate and comprehensive energy reform, kick them to the curb. They’re too ignorant or corrupt to deserve your vote.

I believe American’s can stop Keystone clone Dakota Access, shut down Line 3 and it’s replacement and eventually shut down line 5, if we stand up in unprecedented numbers. It’s our responsibility as thinking human beings, to oppose and delay the damage being done by fossil fuel interests, including the banks and investors they’re leveraged to, until sustainable energy can prevail.

More than 100,000 concerned folks have already shown support for this peaceful Native American DAPL protest and donated close to a million dollars to their valiant cause. The Sacred Stone Camp Protectors have earned the respect and support of America’s environmental and progressive communities. Native Americans have a sacred and spiritual connection to their land and water. They and most farm families cherish the blessings Americans have been given with fertile land and pure water. I believe the only hope of stopping this pipeline insanity lies with President Obama and an executive order. But President Obama has stated many times that he can’t act alone. Common Sense American’s, including True Conservatives, must stand up in such numbers that the President can’t ignore his duty to protect our environment. Please Vote in November for Earth Protectors! John Hanno

Tommy   I am in awe of your statement, in the point of view you come from.

John   Tommy, Thank You.

Frances   Very well put! None could’ve said it better! Now people have a better understanding of how dangerous these pipelines are. I do anyway! I am a Native Member of the Lakota and am VERY concerned!

John    Corporations make decisions based on the bottom line of the next quarter. Native American tradition tells them to make decisions based on what’s beneficial for the next seven generations. What is best for humanity?

Kathy  brilliant explanation of facts, in solidarity with earth protectors

Maia  John  Thank you for a wonderfully informative and passionate comment!

John  Maia   Thank You. Just trying to do my part.

Maia    Richly descriptive and heartfelt report on the camps near Standing Rock, thank you. I very much appreciate that the focus here is not only on the present struggle against DAPL but on the overall, earth-wide struggle we must all be engaged in, inspired by native peoples everywhere.

Starting today, I am contacting banks which are currently lending financial support toward the pipeline construction and asking them to consider what that support is actually doing, and putting at risk. Even if they do nothing, they will know that people care enough to write a letter of objection to what’s happening and each bank’s support of injustice. I urge everyone who wants to stop the DAPL to join me in this. If you would like a list of banks lending money toward DAPL and email/physical addresses, respond to this comment and I will copy paste the list I got from a YES article online. Or you can go to YES Magazine and look for the recent articles on DAPL and Standing Rock. Thank you.

August 20, 2016

“America Has Lost It’s Fracking Mind”

Hundreds of pipeline oil spills and fracking and drilling have contaminated private and public water wells, lakes and rivers used for drinking water and underground water aquifers. From Pennsylvania and Ohio, to Oklahoma, Texas and California (and anywhere the Army Corp and legislatures have given carte blanche approval to oil, gas and pipeline interests), these operations have contaminated folks drinking water. Google Kalamazoo River and Santa Barbara oil spills.

There’s a mad rush to drill, frack and pipe for export, every ounce of fossil fuel asset, before American’s and our legislatures and courts come to their fracking senses. It’s not easy standing up to these companies. They have more power than God and more money than the U.S. Government. These companies try to intimidate landowners. I stood up to Enbridge when they wanted to take part of my organic farm for Pipeline 78 in Illinois. I forced them to move it off my land. You can read our story at gofundme.com/2xpggwfw.

Enbridge was responsible for the July 2010 Kalamazoo River oil spill, which occurred when the 6B pipeline burst and spilled 1,100,000 US gallons of tar sand oil into a tributary of the Kalamazoo River. A six-foot break in the pipeline resulted in the largest inland oil spill in U.S. history. The pipeline carries diluted bitumen (dilbit), or tar sand oil from Canada’s Athabasca tar sands to the United States. The Calhoun County, Michigan Health Department told 30 to 50 households to evacuate, and twice as many were told not to drink their water. The heavy tar sands sunk to the bottom of the river. Thirty-five miles of the river were closed for 2 years. In March 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered Enbridge to return to dredge portions of the river to remove submerged oil and contaminated sediment.

And these pipeline company spill detection guarantees  are a load of bull. Although alarms sounded in Enbridge’s Edmonton headquarters at the time of the ruptured pipeline, it was eighteen hours before a Michigan utilities employee reported oil spilling and the pipeline company learned of the spill. Meanwhile, pipeline operators had thought the alarms were possibly caused by a bubble in the pipeline and, while for a time it was shut down, they subsequently increased pressure for extended periods to try to clear the possible blockage, spilling even more oil. The cost of the six year old clean-up has surpassed $1.3 billion dollars; it’s still not cleaned up and probably never will be. Sections of the river remain restricted because of the ongoing cleanup.

In the summer of 2012, the United States Department of Transportation “fined Enbridge $3.7 million dollars and listed 22 probable violations that happened relating to the spill.” And a number of those violations, concern what happened in the Edmonton pipeline control room. One of the reasons for the enormous escalation in time and expense of the cleanup was that the EPA had never handled a tar sand oil spill. In addition, it is reported that Enbridge never informed the EPA of the distinction in the properties of tar sands oil. Unlike conventional crude oil, tar sand oil floats briefly in water but then sinks, causing a much more difficult cleanup, especially if dredging is considered too ecologically damaging. This disaster was the largest on-land spill in American history to date.

In July 2012, the National Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. federal agency with regulatory authority over the failed pipeline, issued a report outlining the official conclusion of the investigation into the incident. The investigators found that Enbridge, which had received an automated signal from the pipeline that a breach had occurred, misunderstood or did not believe the signal and continued to pump tar sand oil through the pipeline for 17 hours after the breach. Local firefighters were notified, and tried to locate the southern Michigan wetland site of the breach, but were initially unable to do so, further delaying the shutdown of the line.

The NTSB investigation report pointed to corrosion fatigue as the underlying cause of the catastrophic breach. The incident was exacerbated by the pipeline’s disbonded tape coating, that emerald green coating we see on all these pipelines. NTSB Chair Deborah Hersman likened “Enbridge’s poor handling of the spill to the Keystone Cops”, asking: “Why didn’t they recognize what was happening, and what took so long?” NPR reported that “NTSB investigators determined that the six-foot break in the pipe was caused by a flaw in the outside lining which allowed the pipe to crack and corrode. In 2005, Enbridge actually had learned that this section of pipe was cracked and corroding. That same 2005 internal report pointed to 15,000 defects in the 40-year-old pipeline. But Enbridge decided not to dig up this (Talmadge Creek) area to inspect it.”

“In 2013, while deliberating on the Keystone XL pipeline proposal, the EPA recommended to the State Department that pipelines that carry tar sands oil should no longer be treated just like pipelines that carry other crude oil. Stephen Hamilton, an ecology professor at Michigan State University and the independent science adviser at Talmadge Creek, detailed the challenges and expense of the still-ongoing Michigan cleanup.” They estimate that about 180,000 gallons of Line 6B oil remain in the river bottom sediment after cleanup activities through 2012. On March 14, 2013, the EPA issued a new order to Enbridge to remove this oil and oil-contaminated sediment.

The 2015 Santa Barbara oil spill from a 34 year old pipeline that had worn away by 80% to 1/16 of an inch from external corrosion spewed 143,000 gallons of oil onto pristine beaches and killed more than 300 animals after they failed to initially detect the spill and then restarted the line after stopping. That pipeline company was indicted on dozens of criminal charges and could face fines of nearly $3 million. Is there any question that these new pipelines, which pump sand embedded tar at high pressures won’t wear through these 1/2 inch thick pipelines?

What will it take to wake America up, a catastrophic spill on the magnitude of a ruptured 65 year old Pipeline 5 under the straights of Mackinac, which would contaminate at least 2 of our Great Lakes and at least 700 miles of shoreline in both Canada and the U.S.? Would that finally be enough? And after America finally gives up its addiction to fossil fuels and fully embraces alternative energy, who is going to dig up all these 250,000 miles of old decaying oil pipelines, some full of toxic tar sands and chemicals? I believe that 10,15 or 20 years from now, these oil and pipeline companies will be the new coal companies, failing and headed into bankruptcy. Are the oil and pipeline companies like Enbridge going to abandon them and just leave them in the ground until they rust away and leak whatever is left in the pipes into the nations aquifers and contaminate our drinking water and wells? We know the cleanup will be foisted onto the land owners and taxpayers.

Americans must stand up to those who couldn’t care less about protecting our water. We must oppose and delay these interests until renewable energy can prevail. We’re getting closer every day. Germany is powered with 45% renewable. Costa Rica was powered for an entire quarter by 100% renewable. Fortune 100, 200 and 500 corporations and even oil companies are investing heavily in renewables. Even Apple plans to build electric autos. And oil rich Texas is heavily investing in wind energy. We are finally investing in off-shore wind farms. Alternative energy is getting cheaper every day. Folks and Universities who have supported divestitures of fossil fuel companies has caused investment in dirty Alberta tar sands to be cut by two thirds.

The lawsuit by DAPO against a sovereign nation tribe is just the latest attempt at intimidation. Native tribes, farmers and activists like Bold Nebraska, the Sierra Club and IL Climate Activists stopped Keystone XL. That case was headed to the Nebraska Supreme Court before President Obama decided against approving the pipeline.

We can stop DAPL and shut down Line 3 and its replacement brothers and sisters. I believe these eminent domain lawsuits violate the 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (takings clause), and Native American Treaties and Sovereignty. Foreign companies taking Americans property for private gain is buffalo dung. Although difficult, we can live without oil, but as we’ve seen in the drought regions out west, we cannot live without water.

Unfortunately we can’t rely on our governments and courts to save America’s water. Please stand up any way you can. Support Bold Nebraska, IL Climate Activists, 350.org, 350 Kiswaukee, MN350, The Sierra Club, Action Network.org, Bold Iowa, the Sacred Stone Camp gofundme campaign and anyone else who believes in environmental common sense. And vote in November for progressive Earth Protectors.

Jan, Great info & I wish you luck with your struggle, as well. The Sierra Club & 30 plus other environmental groups have written a letter to President Obama.

John,   Thanks Jan. I signed.

Stephen,  So you folks know, you can message the President at White House Facebook. Even works for Australians.

John,   Thank you Stephen. I sent a letter on their Facebook. It really is a small world, especially now that global warming has caused these powerful storms that circle the earth in a single day. What we do here in America and elsewhere effects our neighbors around the world.