Pros And Cons Of The Dakota Access Pipeline

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The Dakota Access pipeline is one of the biggest controversial topics in the United States today. This newly constructed project costed $3.7 billion dollars. The pipelines purpose is to make an easier way to transport crude oil across four states. Starting in North Dakota and ending in Illinois, the pipeline is a 1,172 mile long project with the potential to produce 470,000 barrels of oil daily. With the pipeline ending in Illinois, it also makes it very simple to transport the oil across the Midwest, East Coast, and Gulf Coast. With that being said, some are for the pipeline while others are fighting and protesting against it. Some people love the idea of the pipeline. One reason being it would make us less dependent of foreign oil. Another advantage is it would allow railways to carry more food and supplies since they wouldn’t have to carry oil anymore. Not to mention the 8,000 to 12,000 jobs the construction of the project will create. Finally, the estimated project will produce about $156 million in income tax and sales, all going to the state and local government. These are just some reasons people are for the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline …show more content…

With its placement it has the potential to burst under the Missouri River ruining thousands of people’s water supply. The environmental concerns for this project are endless. For instance, the contamination due to greenhouse gas outflow. One group highly against it is the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. They say construction of the pipeline would demolish burial grounds, prayer sites, and cultural abstracts important to them. The Sioux tribe also believes the government’s intentions for the project is dishonoring their land and their rights. Here are just some problems with the