High Court Green-Lights Pipeline Route Through Appalachian Trail

[Finishline42]

3. IMO - trying to keep pipelines from being built is valiant but futile

The profit motive behind building them is relentless. While a successful effort to keep one being built is a cause for celebration, they don't stop trying to get it built. And eventually they find somebody they can convince ($$$) and they get an approval.

I think an effort should be made into making sure that the quality of the piping is up to standard. For instance, the Keystone pipeline, was to transport bitumen, a higher viscosity than what most pipelines transport. Of course you should use pipe that is designed for the higher pressures necessary to pump that crap, but what makes them do so? Cost accounts will try to limit what they spend on pipe to increase profits.

I also think there should be a tax based on how much and what is pumped that goes into a fund that would help pay for clean-ups. The more often your pipeline leaks the more you have to pay.

Reminds me of that pipeline on a Calif beach that leaked a bunch of oil. The pipeline was so old you could poke a hole in it with your finger. They kept using it until it failed. Probably a LLC so they just walked away.