Guest Commentary: Governor Puts Oil Over Water

A little guest commentary tonight from Kurt Moeckly, another of my Britton friends. He notes that the big petro-dollar signs in the eyes of our Governor are blinding him to what his own citizens want, protection for their drinking water. As Kurt says, we can find alternatives for oil, but replacements for water are hard to come by.

I just thought you should all know that the Governor (and for that matter the Public Utilities Commission, itself) have apparently chosen to ignore the fact that the (at least) third proposed route of the TransCanada pipeline, along the western edge of Marshall County; is in an area comprised of a water sand soil, with a shallow surficial aquifer, which according to a SD Geological Survey, flows eastwardly and down into the Middle James Aquifer, which is the main source of drinking water for Northeast South Dakota’s BDM Rural Water System (Marshall, Roberts, northern Day, and NE Brown Counties).

At the December 2007 SDPUC hearing, the PUC’s own expert witness, Ms. Brenda Winkler, testified about this problem. Dr. Arden Davis and Dr. Perry Rahn, senior geologists from SD School of Mines, warned the PUC Commissioners that a high pressure crude oil pipeline in this area would be a threat to our water resource.

Dr. Arden Davis testified, “...I have concerns about the proposed pipeline if it leaks, it could affect ground water quality in several areas.”...”I believe that from my experience it’s true that prevention of pollution before it occurs is better and more cost-effective than trying to clean it up after it occurs because in some cases you can never clean up an aquifer completely to its pre pollution state.”...”In Marshall County in particular the proposed route would cross a sandy area at the land surface that I believe is in hydraulic connection with an underlying glacial aquifer. And this is an especially sensitive area.”

Dr. Perry Rahn testified,...”It seemed to me like they could find a better route.”...”Why doesn’t TransCanada utilize the geology here? They missed the boat. They should put it in an area where in case there’s a leak it would be contained.”...”So I think really you should ask TransCanada to go back and get a route that’s much better.”

Recently the Governor, speaking in Aberdeen, South Dakota, at Northern State University, was asked, (February 8, 2008 American News) “Should TransCanada, a Canadian company that wants to build a crude oil pipeline through eastern South Dakota, relocate the route through land with a higher clay content that would offer more protection in the event of a leak? The Governor’s answer was this,

“The Public Utilities Commission could make such a recommendation, Rounds said. But, he said, the PUC has to approve or deny the project. It can’t demand a change in the proposed route. Expanding his answer, Rounds said he expects more than just one pipeline to share the route. He said he thinks the second would go to the proposed Hyperion refinery that might be built near Elk Point.”

The Governor is not only confused in his answer, but seems excited about the fact that more pipelines will cross sensitive groundwater aquifers creating even greater risk for a catastrophic leak and destruction of our existing water resource.

It is apparent TransCanada does not want to spend the money to move their pipeline for any reason. Apparently the Governor and DENR are more than willing to place our water at risk The citizens of South Dakota I TALK TO DO NOT WANT OUR WATER RESOURCE PLACED AT RISK (for any reason).

I’m concerned that Our leaders’ eyes have been blinded by greed for a few more tax dollars and have accepted the reckless design of these arrogant corporations. It’s time we stop playing politics with our nonrenewable resource. Water. Energy is important, but not more important than our water. There are (and will be more) alternatives for fossil fuel, crude oil. There is, however, no alternative for good, clean drinking water! We can make do with less energy, but we can’t afford to ruin our drinking water.

TransCanada’s pipeline must be moved to a safer route where heavy clay soils overlay ground water to insure the safety of our drinking water.

--Kurt Moeckly, 2008.02.10