One of the essential functions of government is protecting the health and safety of the people.

An important element in that process is regulation of industrial activities that present a potential public health or environmental hazard.

One such activity is the construction of oil and gas pipelines. These pipelines have the potential to cause major damage through leaks (for instance, the massive oil pipeline spill in the Kalamazoo River a few years ago) and explosions (for instance, the 2010 explosion of a natural gas pipeline in New Mexico that killed seven adults and five children).

It is the government’s responsibility to thoroughly investigate all proposals to build oil and gas pipelines. Rushing this process is potentially very dangerous.

Unfortunately, Congressman Fred Upton has decided that accelerating the approval process for oil and gas pipelines would be a good idea and he is pushing legislation to bring that about. This legislation would limit the ability of federal, state and local officials to investigate potential public health and environmental hazards of new pipelines.

Upton’s legislation is good for the profits of his many oil and gas company campaign contributors, but it is hazardous to the safety of his constituents.

I urge you to communicate with Upton and express your opposition to this dangerous legislation.

 

Don Holmes

Buchanan