preview

Dakota Access Pipeline Research Papers

Decent Essays

Oil, known as black or liquid gold is a resource that has been the obsession of America ever since our country began to use it. It has shaped alliances, wars, and our current economic and political climate. Oil is efficient, relatively common, and now it has been found in large quantities in the Bakken Oil Fields, in North Dakota. The discovery of oil can only mean one thing, oil companies are ready to swoop in and make a profit. Energy Transfer Partners is the company with rights to construct a 1,172-mile oil pipeline to connect the Bakken oil fields with its refineries, to provide 100% domestically produced American energy to the American people. Despite the risks of an expensive oil spill and the current decay of oil prices, the Dakota …show more content…

The pipeline could contaminate the drinking water for thousands of Native Americans (NBC). If a spill were to occur it would be a major financial blow: Cleaning up the spill, providing drinking water to thousands of people, and settling lawsuits could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Despite the reassurance by Energy Transfer about the safety and reliability of the pipeline, our actual knowledge about how the pipeline will actually operate once it begins working is limited; as there are only calculations and predictions for now. All pipes will eventually leak, and the Dakota Access Pipeline is no exception...An oil leak into the Missouri River would be a catastrophe: costing Energy Transfer hundreds of millions of dollars on cleanup and lawsuit settlements, and it would ravage the local economy. Additionally, the chances of other pipelines getting approved could be …show more content…

Currently, the United States is the largest importer of crude oil in the world, while it is only the 3rd largest producer. In 2013, while we imported 7.7 million barrels of oil a day, we only produced 7.5 million (Dakota Access). It is critical that we produce more and import less so we can be more self-sufficient in energy production and focus on our country’s economy, to benefit the American people.
Several oil-countries have been facing economic and political turbulence as a result of the crash in oil prices, and there is disagreement among OPEC as how to handle the situation. (Krauss) While this is happening, America’s oil production continues to rise, as it inches closer to becoming an energy superpower in production and consumption; and countries that depend on their oil exports face recession.
In conclusion, the USA is at a major crossroads, and the decision about whether to allow the Dakota Access Pipeline to be constructed or not. Will the economic benefits of jobs, tax revenue, and energy independence outweigh the risks of a catastrophic oil spill? Whether we decide to allow the pipeline’s operation or not, the decision will affect the world for years to

Get Access