Close vote shows lack of confidence

Dear Editor,

Having family in the McCook and Cambridge areas, I read The McCook Gazette article online: “Alternative Keystone Pipeline Route Approved by Nebraska Public Service Commission” (Nov 20th issue).

With the final vote being a razor-close 3-2 vote, it definitely shows that the Keystone XL proposal lacks unanimous confidence. I think that if the project was as “safe and reliable” as proponents say — it would have been a more decisive vote.

Instead, even Nebraska NPS Members had apprehension. Perhaps with good reason, given the recent pipeline spill of the same pipeline near Amherst, South Dakota.

Normally, I support pipelines. However, I have a different and cautionary opinion of the Keystone XL pipeline. I feel it should swing far away from the precious Ogallala aquifer, which is underneath several U.S. States — including good chunks of Nebraska, Kansas. Oklahoma, and even my adopted State of Texas.

Many small towns depend on water-wells for their drinking-water supplies. We must not let temporary monetary greed contaminate (literally) the health and life of people and wildlife. My secondary concern is that if the entire Keystone XL pipeline gets finished from beginning to end — and at its terminus — I worry that such tar-sands oil might be refined in Texas and then placed aboard ships bound for China, and, thus the United States would be left holding the bag in a lose-lose scheme.

The USA would undergo many risks for little or no gain — and potentially a bigger detriment waiting in the wings. If it were a “certain” benefit, I’d have no qualms. But, I have to admit: I have qualms that this project just hasn’t been planned right; nor is it free from danger. It is fraught with danger to contaminating soil, plus using ‘eminent domain’ in a reckless manner to deprive rightful landowners, and a Communist nation might ultimately use more of America’s resources to our peril. The vote by the Nebraska NPS Commission gives the word “crude” ... a new meaning.

Sincerely,

James A. Marples,

Longview, Texas