U.S. needs new pipeline

Amy Goodman’s column opposing the Keystone oil pipeline that will bring much-needed oil from Canada to U.S. refineries is misleading and glorifies extremist protesters.

Fact: The oil is there and being extracted. It will be sold to someone and refined, even if we don’t build the pipeline. Why should we continue to buy oil from those who pray for our demise instead of from our best ally?

Fact: The technology for wind and solar power has not yet made either a viable alternative. We will continue to be dependent upon oil and natural gas for decades.

Fact: The Keystone project will create 20,000 high-paying jobs.

Fact: In spite of the recent Yellowstone River spill, pipelines are the safest method to transport oil, far safer than by truck or ocean tanker.

When the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was under construction, environmentalists claimed it would devastate caribou herds. Fact: Caribou numbers have more than doubled since then.

The United States now has proven oil reserves larger than almost any other country. We should build this pipeline and tap our own reserves, while continuing to pursue viable energy alternatives.

The protesters know all this. What is their true agenda?

Hal R. Dixon

Spokane

Editor’s note: In a January 2010 estimate by the Central Intelligence Agency, U.S. oil reserves ranked 14th in the world.