I would like to respond to Charles Davison's Feb. 13 letter to the editor regarding the Keystone XL pipeline. As a summer resident for some years now of Day County in South Dakota, I have observed firsthand some of the effects of the first Keystone pipeline now in operation.
I am taken aback by Davison's statement that “the dangers of a leaking pipeline into the aquifers is nothing.” It is certainly nothing to him if it is not his water or land being contaminated. Keystone has had 13 leaks on U.S. soil since going operational. One in Day County was not reported to any government agency at the time of the spill. Lucky for Day County residents, it was a somewhat small and contained spill. Canada's part of the Keystone pipeline has had 21 spills.
The jobs have been a fraction of what has been realized.
All of the Native American tribes in our area were opposed to Keystone and are currently opposed to Keystone XL.
Trans Canada (KSPL) got $2.85 million in tax credits and has paid $2.95 million in state property taxes. This is a half to a third of what they projected to pay.
When right-of-way contracts were being negotiated with landowners, they were given the options of taking Trans Canada's deal or were told the right of way would be taken through eminent domain — their property being condemned. This was told to me directly by one of Trans Canada's negotiating agents.
In Davison's letter, he advocates the government mandate the oil be sold domestically. Is he for more government control? Does he realize this oil is not “drilled” for but comes from “open pit” like operations in Canada? Our government does not tell Canada how or where to conduct the exploiting of its natural resources.
Keystone XL oil will be sent to Texas and refined mostly into diesel fuel to be shipped to South American and European markets. Keystone XL will, by most accounts, cause our domestic fuel prices to rise.
Click for Full Text!
