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.

PT Logo collage
+ 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.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

‘Jesus Is Being Tear Gassed At Broadview’

The struggle to close the Broadview ICE facility in Chicago includes clergy who are part of a movement of religious leaders opposed to the assault on immigrants.

No Kings Rallies Show the Fight Is On!

No Kings Day showed the rising awareness of people to how dangerous the situation is, that everyone’s rights, living standards, and democracy itself is in danger. Millions are mobilizing in diverse ways to confront the situation.

Fragile Ceasefire Victory and the Role of the Global Movement

In 2024, 125 nations of the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister. This and countless other unprecedented acts of resistance took place against a “war” that revealed itself daily as outright genocide. The world’s people expressed their common humanity through actions and voices...sustaining this epic unity for the battles that lie ahead is critical for real peace..."

“No Kings” Protests Set to Sweep US Even as Trump Increases Attacks on Activists

Republicans are already smearing the protesters, but their intimidation tactics are out of touch with reality.

ICE Fears Put Pregnant Immigrants and Their Babies at Risk

Fear of deportation is deterring people without permanent legal status from critical care. Doctors are worried for the health of pregnant immigrants, and the health of their pregnancies. This story was originally reported by 19thnews.org.

More from the People's Tribune