Bluegrass pipeline info

[A Little Weird]

A proposed pipeline route going through Kentucky would pass through 18 counties from Bracken to Breckinridge counties. It is going to carry gas from fracking operations in Pennsylvania and W. Virginia through Ohio and Kentucky to be shipped on down to the gulf coast. The company behind the pipeline does not have a stellar safety record.

I personally think it's a bad idea and I hope it gets stopped (although I doubt it will).

Anyway, I just wanted to pass some info along about it in case anyone hadn't heard about it. KSEC has compiled some good info about the proposed pipeline and the company behind it.


http://www.kystudentenvironmentalcoalition.org/bluegrass-pipeline-information.html

[Buzz Clik]

1. Ok. Why?

Why opposed to a natural gas pipeline?

[A Little Weird]

2. Reasons

1. The company planning the pipeline has a history of accidents that have caused death and injuries (for instance: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/13/18936624-one-dead-scores-injured-in-louisiana-chemical-plant-explosion?lite), environmental degradation (groundwater and soil contamination in Colorado - can't find the link right now), and evacuations (for instance: http://www.wutc.wa.gov/webimage.nsf/d7506612dc95c1928825657200770590/f658498d2f5a207888256d1a0058cc3f!OpenDocument).

2. I am opposed to fracking in general because of it's environmental impact. Money required to build a multistate pipeline would be better spent on renewable resources. And yes, renewable resources also have downsides and environmental costs, but I think they are better than those associated with fossil fuels and especially fracking.

3. Landowners in KY assume risks and disturbance to their land (along with lower property values) but get nothing in return. The gas is being sent to exporters and very little if any will be used domestically. Even the jobs will primarily be based out of state.

These are the primary reasons I'm opposed to the pipeline. I might come up with more if I give it some more thought.

[tabasco]

3. It is not a gas pipeline

It is a proposed 24-inch pipeline carrying toxic liquid - natural gas liquids. NGLs.

I imagine you see no reason to oppose that either.

[TheDeputy]

4. I approve

I back fracking. It provides good union jobs for many families and helps with energy independence.

[A Little Weird]

5. It does not help with energy independence

You are mis-informed. The products to be shipped through the bluegrass pipeline are for export overseas to be used for plastics manufacturing - they will in no way help with energy independence. Jobs created from building this pipeline will not be good jobs for Kentuckians, in fact - most of the jobs will be temporary jobs and/or will use out-of-state crews.

Fracking fucks up the ground water and lowers the property values for the people that live nearby. It has no societal benefit and only profits a few. It is a prime example of a process that privatizes profit while socializing the costs. Similar pipelines have exploded and leaked, spreading the problem even to areas where fracking is not taking place.

I suggest you watch the movie Gasland and see if you still agree that fracking is a great thing.