Pipeline in Appalachia threatens landscape, drinking water and the economy

Latest

Pipeline construction staging area near Beckley, West Virginia. The Appalachian pipeline project will have devastating impacts on the scenic landscape of the Appalachian Trail, local drinking water, and the economy. Communities are resisting.
PHOTO/T. PAIGE DALPORTO

 
Editor’s note: The Mountain Valley pipeline project will have devastating impacts on the scenic landscape of the Appalachian Trail, the local drinking water, and the economy. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy says the pipeline, which will carry fracked natural gas, will run along 90 miles of the trail. A swath 200 feet wide in some cases can be expected and will be visible for up to 20 miles or more.
By T. Paige Dalporto
WEST VIRGINIA — In my opinion, all non-renewable energy resources should be equally shared by all. As a necessity for human health and life, these resources should not be made subject to market whims, pressure or the forces of cut throat no holds barred, I’ve got mine, fuck you, adversarial greed ‘n’ capitalism, so prevalent today.
The corporate structure we have today consolidates too much power in the hands of the conscience-free few, those traditionally adversarial entities that operate without a moral compass that the rest of us are endowed with.
In Alaska, each Alaskan citizen gets a royalty check each year. Why not here?
Pipeline projects seal our doom with every breach, with gas out the ass and no water, take away rights from individual property owners; destroying the peace and tranquility of rural nearby property owners; disturbs and destroys certain species of wildlife by opening up the area, and attracting competitors to songbirds, for example.
The high probability of poor maintenance, negligence and lack of due vigilance and foresight has been the proven track record of modern corporations. Aversion to responsible behavior and a reckless attitude toward human needs and nature; unaccountability and exclusive focus on profit at the expense of all other points of consideration, necessitates that a project this intrusive and of such magnitude, should be met with an equal and opposite force: sanity, reason, safety, concern for the public good, and a sincere, mature desire to coexist, in harmony with nature.
T. Paige Dalporto offers his thoughts for discussion. Contact him at tpaigeme@aol.com.

+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.orgPlease donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

Featured

Progressives? Conservatives? Left? Right? Who Do They All Represent?

The billionare class paints the economy as very good based on rising stock market episodes that don’t filter down to most blue-collar people. Let’s concentrate our efforts on those fighting for the needs of the many.

A Somali Perspective on Life in Minnesota

The words “Nobody wants you here,” may have been directed at one Somali family, but they do not define Minnesota’s Somali community. By listening to the voices of Somalis themselves, a different story emerges, one of belonging, resilience, and community.

50 Years Later: The Man Who Refused to Let Allensworth Disappear

While a historical site cannot bring back the haven of possibility that the town of Allensworth in the state of California once was, its presence forces a reckoning for anyone it reaches — a ceaseless act of resistance in itself.

ICE Killings Are Increasing, But So is the Resistance

If we allow ICE, as a servant of the powerful, to kill or deport our working class sisters and brothers then we are not only immoral, we’re setting ourselves up to be next in line for the detention centers.

Message to Congressional Black Caucus On Endorsement of AIPAC Funded Candidate

The Black vote is key to winning Democratic Party elections. Today, in MI and nationwide, African Americans are expressing abandonment by a Party that funds candidates who do not represent their interests, as seen in Michigan’s Senate race.

More from the People's Tribune