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Trump Brings Pipeline Projects Back From the Dead
Posted On 24 Jan 2017
President Donald Trump signed five executive orders on Tuesday, two of which could pave the way for the Keystone XL and Dakota Access oil pipelines that were stymied by the previous administration.
“The regulatory process in this country has become a tangled up mess,” Trump said of the other three orders, which are aimed at cutting through some of the Obama administration’s job-killing environmental regulations.
President Obama closed the door on the Keystone project in late 2015 and his administration temporarily put a halt to the Dakota Access pipeline when protests began to turn ugly.
To the surprise of no one, environmental groups reacted with fury to Trump’s orders. They claim that the two pipelines will only exacerbate the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and put nearby residents at risk of disaster.
“Keystone, the Dakota Access Pipeline, and fossil fuel infrastructure projects like them will only make billionaires richer and make the rest of us suffer,” said Greenpeace in a statement. “We will resist this with all of our power and we will continue to build the future the world wants to see.”
The Standing Rock Sioux tribe, which has demanded an end to the Dakota Access Pipeline, also spoke out against Trump’s decision. In an interview with NBC News, tribal chairman Dave Archambault II said the Standing Rock tribe would fight the president in court.
“The Trump administration’s politically motivated decision violates the law and the Tribe will take legal action to fight it,” said Archambault. “We are not opposed to energy independence. We are opposed to reckless and politically motivated development projects, like DAPL, that ignore our treaty rights and risk our water. Creating a second Flint does not make America great again.”
The Keystone XL pipeline has been a political football for some time. Republicans have exaggerated the number of jobs that would be created by the project and Democrats have exaggerated the environmental impact the pipeline would have. Until it started eating up headlines, Obama seemed content to let the project linger in the State Department until the end of his presidency. He rejected it only because he was headed to Paris for the big climate summit and he wanted some good publicity to take with him.
As for the Dakota Access pipeline, it only became a subject of controversy when Native Americans in the area began protesting vigorously against its construction. The Obama administration reacted to those protests in December when the Army Corps of Engineers announced that they would look for a way to route the pipeline around the Sioux reservation.
President Trump understands that we can’t let environmentalist psychos hold the U.S. economy hostage, and these executive orders are a symbol of that understanding.
How much oil from Keystone, the Dakota Access Pipeline will be for U.S. consumption? Or, will most be exported?
It should all stay here and stop importing oil from other countries. And then put our gas back to $1.00 per gallon.
Agree – but the pipeline will cause a lot of different kinds of problems coming across our lands without U.S. benefiting.
It isn’t just the middle east that determines gas prices. I have seen so many stations with different prices per gallon, some with a huge gap. Many gas station owners in this country are very greedy and it is time THAT was addressed. Also the evil elites have everything to do with the price of gas as well but that fact is always ignored.
Hey now I forgot to hit reply to your post please read the post I directed toward you.
this not a cure-all but it helps.
If we are to be serious about oil independence from the middle east then the Keystone pipe line makes perfect sense. It may not be a perfect solution but it is indeed pointed in the right direction as has already been pointed out. Having a ready an available source of continued oil will, in the end, always work in our nations favor. Waiting to happen will be Trumps opening up of our own oil fields and the new refining technologies that come with it. That $1.00, per barrel some wish for just may be a returning reality
Makes sense IF we are able to keep most of the oil. As I’ve been asking, how much oil (percentage) will we keep for U.S. consumption? Otherwise, why do we need the pipeline if we can’t keep the oil?
To refine the raw toxic tar sand sludge!
Refine it in Canada!
None built there and Canadians don’t want them.
The Canadians may not want the refineries there but I don’t think the cold climate would lend itself well to the refining process. The refining process requires distillation which requires heat, where best to have refineries but in a warmer climate?
Russian oil refineries are all over the map. Many in colder climates than the USA has.
0 % .The Koch Brothers will get huge refining costs and dump the toxic waste on our land , not in Canada .
Sounds like you have an Ax to grind! Don’t believe 0% or your response is accurate.
Thee is absolutely nothing in the proposal that says they will get any of that oil . Oil is sold on the world market . Ax to grind ? Yea , the US gets toxic waste of Canadian oil .The dirtiest oil on the planet . Is there any clause in the deal that says TransCanada will pay toxic clean up costs ? Don’t believe my post ? Look it up . Take your apology and stick it where you get your information .
Magik – “Toxic” – yes if they allow waste on the ground or rivers – but I’m pretty sure the EMP wouldn’t let that happen. What apology? Still don’t think you have any facts on anything.
Sometimes I get aggravated discussing things with uninformed people . Do you know that Koch Industries is the largest polluter in the country ? Have you even read an article about the piles of toxic sludge that the winds carry into Detroit on a windy day ? Do you even care ?
My question was in regard to U.S. consumption of oil from the pipeline. Not regarding the impact of Koch industries on the environment. I don’t disagree with you on your issue with Koch.
To the best of my knowledge there is no set aside for US consumption .
In addition , the cost to refine this sludge actually makes it more expensive than importing good crude . There are some in the industry that claim the tar sands oil should remain in the ground .
So based upon your response to my basic question. If the American consumer is not going to benefit from the pipeline, then why should we/President support this project? A rhetorical question – needs no answer. Thanks for the conversation.
I don’t know what toxic waste this person is referring to, it has been and still is illegal to dump any manufacturing waste or handle it improperly.
Unrefined toxic tar sand sludge oil is the worst shyt possible to clean up!
Hal, that is a great question, but at this time with nothing built and capacity of the pipeline still
unknown, how would any one know for certain know what the volume would be? It could be said that we will keep 100%…but 100% of what?
My family and I lived in Alaska for several years where I worked in engineering for Sohio Oil (aka BP) on their oil pipe line. The oil pipeline is not like a garden hose. Along its rout there are pumps and warming stations that compensate for variations in geography and keep the oil in its liquid state. Numerous thing will impact the speed of oil flow and and the volume that will be moving at any one time. Eventually, at it end, there will have to be a collection facility to hold and process the oil.
Depending on the quality of the oil being pumped will also determine what amount of oil will actually be recoverable. Generally there are two kinds of oil pumped out of the ground. “Sweet oil” is basically free of major impurities. Saudi oil tends to be that kind of oil. Some say you could run it in your car unrefined. Maybe, maybe not!
“Crude oil”, such is found in Alaska, requires lots of refining as it contains all kinds of minerals. Countries like Japan, a major buyer, love this kind of oil because after the refining it they have a bonus of raw materials they use in their various industries that they would normally have to pay for were it not that it comes to them free during the refining process.
So you see Hal, at this point in time they are a along way from really being able to come up with any true answer to your more then valid question(s). Hope this give you some insight into what the oil industry is all about. Be patience Hal. These questions can all be answered in due time…but just not right now!
You are confusing the issue. Before you buy a car, you should know if you’re going to be able to use it. Why build a 3,000 mile pipeline if you’re not going to get any benefit from it. Simple question requires a simple answer. Will any of the oil after being refined be used by U.S. consumers? What percentage is expected? If 0% don’t build! if 60-90% go ahead and build!
Hal, I agree with you 100% that there is no reason to obfuscate any situation. By the way, your posting IS a good example of obfuscation. Simple answers for uninformed people is often best where there is not a general knowledge on the subject at hand. BTW Hal, how much actual hands on experience do you have with the oil production industry and its supporting infrastructure? Not much I would guess!
This situation can not be handled as you would a child’s demands where they want immediate answers (gratification) to as yet unresolved situations.
Hal, this is not like buying a car where you see a completed product you like, sign a paper or two and drive away. In my original response which is based on extensive personal experience, I gave you only the highlights of what is involved with such a project. You may accept my answer or not, but the facts still remain that “it is what it is!”
Dan – Thanks for your response. You are right I don’t have any knowledge in the oil production industry. BUT, I don’t need any. BEFORE we spend money and take property away from Americans, we should know the benefits we will receive. If we don’t receive any benefits, why do the project whatever project? Temporary construction workers is not the answer – looking for long run benefits.
I have worked in the Petrochemical Pipeline Industry for 26 years. Pressures and quantities are calculated prior to building the pipeline. It is known how much of what and when and all the associated costs are figured in the planning stages.
I will not purport to know everything but I have to agree with Hal Carter and the amounts are verifiable in percentages as to the gain to the American people due to the end use of the product. If the people benefit then fine but if not then it should be reconsidered.
So with that, I too have the question, what is in it for U.S.?
We will always need fossil fuel’s!! But in my humble opinion, if we focus stronger on renewable resources we can help eliminate the dependence of fossil fuel’s from the Middle East, Who, intern, support Islamic terrorists and Hillary Clinton. Our amazing oil and gas exploration companies have been able to make a profit even though the OPEC nations are artificially driving down the price of oil in order to disrupt the exploration companies in our country. What they don’t understand is that democracy will always thrive and we are better at it than anyone else in the world. The Saudi’s, by artificially lowering oil prices have hurt themselves and other Islamic states such as Iran. If we stop or at least reduce importing foreign oil and gain our own energy independence the price of oil will even go lower, therefor disrupting them and Islamic terrorist groups even further. With technology, we have found better ways to produce more, more cheeply.
The Keystone pipeline will take oil from the Canadian oil sands down to Texas in order to be refined and used and/or sold in our country and around the world. Part of the debate is whether we should ship it overseas once it is refined or keep it for ourselves. The environmentalist are concerned over the possibility of spills and disasters along the way. But what they don’t realize or tell you is that it is now being traveled across the country anyway by railroads owned by Warren Buffett. In my opinion just as risky if not worse. ( Not for Warren Buffett though. )
The Dakota access pipeline will transfer crude oil from all of the frackng that is being done in the northwest area of the Dakotas. The Balkan Shale deposit I believe . The environmentalist and the Sioux tribe are against us because they believe it will contaminate their water supply. If you have ever watched some of the fracking documentaries as I have, in many cases It does just that. Fracking is not a good thing for the water supply in the fracking area. In this case the pipeline itself is running through an area that the Sioux tribe believe to be sacred and through or near a lake they use for water. This is not a fracking issue. I hope that helps answer your question Hal Carter
So we don’t know what percentage of Keystone oil will be for U.S. consumption. That is what I got from your response to my question.
We don’t!
You people are not aware that many pipelines already go across the Missouri at that location. One more is the end of the world. Indians have a tendency to stir trouble, but like the Casino business that should be stopped!
You are right. Out of the thousands of miles of pipeline already in existence one more is going to be the death of us?
I have discovered that people that complain the most know the least about that which they are complaining about. Environmentalists and the like know very little.
I will however inject, the people that plan for a pipeline do not always have all people’s best interest’s at heart. Been there for 26 years so I have a little background in the matter. There is a lot of dishonesty and corruption, the Deep Water Horizon catastrophe was only one example.
Good news for Korean pipe manufacturers . Let’s hope he also respects property rights .
I believe I heard the POTUS say they are going to re-route the pipeline away from any problem areas. And he also said he wants to make sure American Steel is used to build it. Hold on to your hats and make sure you know exactly what he says. All of the tribes did sign the agreement pre building it. I believe POTUS cares enough about America and it’s lands and resources to protect it but without the strangling the projects over zealous environment regulations.
If you are talking about the Dakota access pipeline it is already built with the exception of the water crossing . Both the boring pit and the receiving pit are dug and the pipe is already laying on the ground ready to be installed once the boring is complete .
The Keystone XL pipeline , you can go look at the pipe already bought and stockpiled with the stamping ” Made in Korea ” . When I called the company concerning the pipe their answer was they were the US ” supplier ” . Questions about ” manufacture ” went unanswered .
The Keystone XL pipeline would be built and in service long ago had they simply used their existing right of way instead of ramming a new one down the people’s throat and across their land . The Keystone XL pipeline is to replace an existing pipeline . ” Big Oil ” thinks they can bully and buy their way through anything .
I would hope the coating on the pipe is reinspected due to ultraviolet degradation and handling damage. The pipe that was intended for the XL pipeline will have to be recoated, it has been sitting for too long.
I am for the Dakota pipeline but it should not go through the tribal lands. We need to respect our treaty and stop stomping on their lands. I hope Trump keeps the Natives in mind and have the pipeline circumvent their land.
Thank you !
I completely and totally agree.
I’m for the pipeline also. But build the line away from the water and sacred tribal lands. Build it away from where families are buried. An alternate route for the pipeline.
The United States Government, The Army Corps of Engineers, and The Standing Rock Sioux, should all come together with an agreement.
This way everybody is happy.
Be sure you know what is tribal lands before you speak! Many of you bleeding hearts are mis-informed!
I applaud your response; let’s support our natives that were here long before we were; and their sacredness.
Great news!! Not only will this result in more jobs for Americans, but the cost of gasoline at the pump should decline. But, I’m sure all the “tree-huggers” will be up in arms!! I’m loving it!! LMAO!
If you aren’t going to do something right then why bother at all. The pipeline should work for EVERYONE, and to run it thorough burial grounds and through other people’s homes is just wrong. And you know what the Natives were here first. And what is best for them should COME first.
I see the The Dakota Access Pipeline problem very clearly. It took me 20 minutes online to figure this out. It is the oil pipeline path, not the pipeline, that is the problem!
The original …safer route was to close to white people in Bismark.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakota_Access_Pipeline#/media/File:Black_Snake_in_Sioux_Country.png
So, it’s OK to run the pipeline west of Minot and Bismark and then south and twice, TWICE!! across the Missouri river and next to the Standing Rock Reservation water intake.
What was NOT done was run the pipeline straight south near Milot and east around Bismark and never, NEVER!! cross the Missouri river. But that would be to close to white people.
Check the map out here. Do you agree the route is wrong? It must be rerouted.
insideclimatenews.org/news/08092016/standing-rock-sioux-tribe-energy-transfer-dakota-access-pipeline-oil-environmental-justice
The Indian’s have every right to protest this!
Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868)
ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=42
In this treaty, signed on April 29, 1868, between the U.S. Government and the Sioux Nation, the United States recognized the Black Hills as part of the Great Sioux Reservation, set aside for exclusive use by the Sioux people.
A conference was held at Fort Laramie, in present day Wyoming, which resulted in a treaty with the Sioux. This treaty was to bring peace between the whites and the Sioux who agreed to settle within the Black Hills reservation in the Dakota Territory.
Less than a decade later when gold was discovered in the Black Hills the US Gov. per President Grants illegal order choose to violate the treaty and launch a war against the Sioux.
>> Custer met his end later, because of it. He was an idiot also.
Nice to see someone IS paying attention . ************
It always comes down to money and greed.
And power, of which money is one form.
Hi Charlie, I just want to tell you that this is an amazing comment. I also want to tell you that I voted for Trump but was so involved in other problems in this country, ie perverted GLSEN in our schools and wanting the end to abortion that I somehow missed this entire fiasco about the pipeline. I agree it should be re-routed. It is wrong to have it so close to the Sioux reservation. I have a channel on Disqus and I have been wanting to start a discussion about this-and since I don’t believe in plagiarism I am going to feature your comment since I want to use the information you so kindly put together for all of us. You saved me a lot of work and I thank you. I can’t stand Liberals but I don’t consider Native American concerns “Progressive”. Here is a link to my channel. I hope you stop by.
https://disqus.com/home/discussion/channel-theconservativechannel/why_we_all_need_to_watch_our_backs_literally/
You may use anything I have posted.
My nature from my previous 45 year career is accuracy of detail and checking story facts before I post. The sarcasm I salt it with is free of charge.
If you want to follow me and rummage thru my DISQUS archive, feel free. I will take my account off private mode till you so.
I was being followed a couple years ago by pissed off muslim trolls.
Blow it out of your behind Charlie! You, my man are a racist!
We are having the same problem with TransCanada in New Hampshire… In our case it is power lines that they refuse to bury through our scenic countryside. We’ve been fighting them for more than 5 years, they are spending millions but just don’t see that if they buried the line they would be dollars ahead and no one would complain.
That’s right. They have the “not in my backyard” mentality.
In the Wilki map legend it even says the original route was nixed because it threatened drinking water in Bismark!
To close to white people!
Keystone XL project, TransCanada project is to export oil through mostly ‘Made in India’ steel pipe to China through a tax free zone.
American get a few thousand short term construction jobs.
American get the long term pollution clean up jobs later.
Don’t be so silly Charlie! America gets a fee for operating the pipeline!
Irrelevant to my comment!
Treaties and reservations need to be voided. Asian Indians need to join the rest of America in working and paying taxes. Being part of America. Bring there pride back again as constructive Americans- instead of moochers. The pipeline is needed. It will create jobs for everyone. To have a job and to work for a living-is healthy and noble.
Asian Indians are different than your Native Indians and are not involved in this issue. They work and pay taxes.
Really -How are Asian Indians different? studies I’ve read through DNA tests state American Indians descended from Asia. Some work- most don’t. Most have lost there pride- so what’s to work for?
That is news to me, But you people get information that suits your arguments. Notwithstanding that, Asian Indians are known for their intelligence and their ability to be dedicated and hardworking. The hospitals and high tech institutions across the globe (including Africa)are filled with them, including all the computer companies in the USA. They are humble and were brought to the West as indentured labourers (contract labour) as well, to replace the Africans , when slavery was abolished, and at the end of their contracts, many stayed on to develop the countries that they have adopted as their home. .They saved much of the money earned to create better and more comfortable lives for their families.
Studies also show that all of us are descendants from the African race, but with respect to the native America, their is some similarity, but a lot of differences when compared with the Asian Indian.
Notwithstanding your comments and mine, EVERYONE , should work hard and pay taxes and should not live as a parasite in their country.
Brain S– enjoyed your writing. Yes you are right,
some do put a spin on things. You can look up on the internet (very interesting) a story of where they dug up a young native Indian boy here in Montana that they were able to get DNA from. Matching DNA from the Asian people. But then these Scientists claimed the boy was 25,000 years old–that’s where they lose me- claiming they know the age of bones or rock. Anyway an interesting story–don’t know-can’t claim I was there?
River Blue…Thanks for the info…sounds very interesting…looks like I am going to dig up some DNA on my ancestors… A lot of good things come from these conversations, we only have to look for it. Best wishes to you and your family. Trump should lead us in a very interesting journey, which I hope should give all of us, a better life
You’re a great American. Let me know if you find more interesting reports. Fingers crossed for Trump that he’ll get us through the tunnel. Another train wreck–we don’t need. Best always
If the Indians don’t stop, keep them on their reservations and do not let them leave! Their BS is getting old!
It’s past time to cut off there Govt. free unappreciated checks.
I agree with Vassiliki and Craig Apelbaum. It is highly important to protect our Natives People and The Tribal Lands. Got be another safety way.
Do you all realize that, right now, the oil from the Dakotas is shipped by rail? Yes, the tracks run within 30 to 100 feet of the Mississippi River. Think it’s more dangerous to run by rail or by underground pipeline? Never had any bad train wrecks, have we? Guys, it’s the safest, most efficient way to transport crude oil. We have literally thousands of pipelines running through the U.S. How many breaches do we have each year?
The voice of reason, falling unheard on the deaf ears of liberal activists everywhere looking for relevancy and someone to listen to their stupid, not-backed-by-facts rantings.
Yes. You are right. You can lead a horse ? To water- But you can’t make him drink.
As Lenin called them: “useful idiots!”
But, but, but … In the progressive universe it is all right to take a chance at polluting the Mississippi River if only Democrat Party sponsor Warren Buffet in the form of the BNSF railroad profits from it big time.
This is not a topic I know much about. I’ve been for the pipeline, but yes, let’s respect the area’s families.
Well President Trump now calls the shots.
Let me know how that oil in your water supply tastes if you live downstream. It isn’t if it will happen, it is when. Canada has suffered two pipeline breaks in the last 6 months, spilling about 110,000 gallons of oil into the Saskatchewan River. With Trump handcuffing the EPA there is sure to be similar occurrences in the U.S. All for some very temporary jobs and a few more long range jobs attempting to maintain the pipeline. Sovereign native land will be ruined, downstream water supplies will be polluted. Is Trump pissed off at Indian Casino competition, or is he just invested in the pipeline? No tax returns, so we’ll never know.
I agree with Vassiliki We have to respect tribal lands and the treaties to many have already been broken. Don’t destroy their burial and sacred lands, so please build your nasty pipeline if you must, but build it a couple hundred miles down river from the Rez
If Trump wants to do the right thing, he will meet with the tribal leaders and find alternative routes for the pipeline that will not hurt the people or resources, and he will not approve the Keystone Pipeline. There are alternatives and better ways of getting and utilizing fuels and resources that are not so destructive or damaging to the resources or environment. The federal programs developed to implement, monitor and enforce environmental rules, laws and acts are just as important as the other federal agencies, and they have to be funded and utilized.
Come on this is just stupid you can’t hurt the dead unless you stop them from voting for democrats. Run the frigging pipeline screw the crazy Indians that are probably hitting the fire water again.
I would respect the protesters, but there are too many questions about this protest that bother me, 1st, this land is NOT owned by the natives, 2nd The pipeline will go under the water not above it. 3rd The people of N.D. are OK with the deal. I need more information on the issue before I will make any decision. every one keeps saying this is tribal land, when it is NOT part of the Tribal land. Somebody is lying, if the media would tell the truth ALL THE TIME, we might be able to come to a correct conclusion. As long as the MSM are lying no one will know the truth, we will have to rely on Alex Jones for accurate news.
I have worked in the Petrochemical Pipeline business for 26 years. I know for a fact that routes are laid out before permits are obtained. The pipe is manufactured to a certain length with various protective coatings and anti-buoyancy overlays in anticipation of being allowed access to a particular route.
I say “IF” it is determined that Indian territory is being violated then reroute the pipeline. Haven’t the American Indians been crapped on enough already?
Thank God for Donald Trump. I am beside myself with joy for the last 12 days. Keep it up Mr. President, the nut jobs just can’t believe you are actually doing what you promised you would, haaaa, haaaaa, haaaaa.
Obama and Clinton’s friends in Saudi Arabia must be beside themselves; all that campaign cash and the donations to various “green” organizations in the U.S. for nothing. No stop on fracking, no stopping the pipelines, the off-shore drill ban just a feeble Obama executive shenanigan. They won’t be able to save OPEC with those results, America will be more energy independent and maybe (oh horror, of horrors) be able to help Europe out against the Saudis, OPEC, and the Russians; they can’t even get a refund from Obama and the Clintons. Those … infidels! ROTFL!!!!
Go Trump! Drill Baby, drill!
The Dakota pipeline DOES NOT cross Tribal Lands. I think the progressives convinced the Tribe that crossing the river could foul the water. However, the Army Corp of Engineers has overcome this obstacle thousands of times. Additionally, hauling the oil by train or truck will cause more environmental damage than crossing a river. Just more Liberal Lies to Disturb the local citizens into obstructing real progress. Buckle your seatbelts Patriots, 3 yrs, 11 months more of these desperate Democrats obstructing our President at every turn, trying to turn our country into a Socialist State. We must stay vigilant.
We need the pipeline. We need to give Canada more business and they can give us more business. Plus, for the foreseeable future, we will need more and more hydrocarbon energy.