Pipeline panic
A dakota access pipeline protest.
Photo by Fibonacci Blue
By Amina Mughnee
What to know about the social justice battle in the Dakotas.
The new year has brought many things to people’s attention. A few things worth mentioning is the new Culture album from Migos, Trump’s presidential inauguration, seven new planets being discovered, and other things of the sorts.
However, an extension of a past political and geographical dispute wiggled it’s way into the early part of the year. The Dakota Access Pipeline has been in the news since the fall of 2016, but new developments have emerged. Since this pipeline is a long way from Charlotte, some might ask, “how does this affect me”?
A woman holding a sign protesting the pipeline.
Photo by Pax Ahimsa Gethen
The protests and the protestors pushed for the cancel of the project late last year and in response, Obama halted the construction of the pipeline. It was clear that Obama’s decision would be changed by Trump. Throughout Trump’s campaign, he stated that, “Obama’s environmental policies were a threat to the economy”.
Now, Trump has signed an executive order and is continuing with the construction of the pipeline with the head of the project, Energy Transfer Partners.
This 3.54 billion dollar project would create roughly twelve thousand jobs alone during construction and a large amount of other various jobs for the keep up after the pipeline has been built. More jobs will increase regional employment for that area along with boosting the national employment rate.
The states that the pipeline will be going through.
Photo by NittyG
Supporters of this pipeline believe that this could help the United States gain energy independence. In regards to oil, the United States has struggled to become independent because of imports from foreign countries. The pipeline would be in the United States which would cut down on the cost of transporting foreign oil.
In 2015, the United States spent 3.4 billion dollars on imported oil. This was a decline from 4.3 billion which is a good start, and because of the pipeline, the cost would continue to decline.
The construction of the pipeline
Photo by Carl Wycoff
Oil transportation through pipeline is safer than railway transportation. This is because of the amount of train cars carrying the oil, and because of this, the overload of train cars make trains more prone to spills. Pipeline transportation is also a lot cheaper than railway. The cost difference between these two options is fifty billion per year.
One of the main issues with this project, is that the pipeline will go through a main water source of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Along with safe drinking water, the protesters and the Sioux tribe are concerned about the interference with the sacred nature of the water.
The Sioux tribe sees water as more than something people drink. It is apart of them and their cultural traditions. So disturbing this sacred liquid would erase centuries of traditions. One of the elders of the tribe, Faith Spotted Eagle said, “It's used in ceremonies to heal people. The steam it gives off in a sweat lodge, for example, purifies. Water can clean a spirit when it's bleeding. It can calm a person and restore balance”.
This social justice issue is a sensitive subject to many. The popular hashtag, #NODAPL, emerged after the announcement of the pipeline and brought awareness to the issue as well. Instagram pictures of this crisis have possibly popped up on timelines, but if you’re interested in helping or supporting this cause, here’s how.
If you are interested in helping or supporting the people in Standing Rock, then you can donate to the Stand With Standing Rock website or sign a petition against the construction of the pipeline.
Also if you want to know more about this issue, check out the links provided below.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37863955
Armed police stand behind a Native protestor.
Photo by Wes Enzinna
The Charger, March 2017
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