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.