As the deadline to make a decision regarding the installation of the gas pipeline in Madison County approaches, it is important that this proposition be further analyzed. Here the issue splits into multiple realms of knowledge, on which the effects of the pipeline must be addressed. These include; technology and natural science, environmental issues, governance, national energy security, and society. While these are all important aspects, they must be viewed through two main medians; through the eyes of the Madison County Board of Directors, and through the eyes of the Goodall family.
For Madison County Board Supervisors and Mr. Goodall to conclude their decision on the pipeline, they need to consider the natural science of hydraulic fracturing and the technology used. This will better their knowledge on the construction process and what is going to be happening on their own grounds. Once they have this knowledge they can debate the pros and cons, and understand exactly how this is effecting their land. For example, the drill rig, which will be on the property for 3-4 weeks, the water, sand, and chemical mixture used to retrieve the natural gas from the shale, and the actual pipeline will all affect the environment in some aspect. The water/chemical mixture will come back up as flowback water, which can lead to contamination of Mr. Goodall’s drinking water and many other’s as well who live near by.; therefore, directly impacting his decision. Additionally, for the process to be fulfilled, there will need to be pipeline and road construction, this will go hand and hand with the national energy security and governance domains due to the fact the roads are county property and the oil companies control the pipeline construction. Everything that Mr. Goodall and the Madison County Board of Supervisors take into consideration from the technology and natural science, will go hand and hand with the other knowledge domains and the effects of the pipeline.
There are only two options at this point in time, to go forward with the pipeline installation, or not to. National energy security has complex relationships with each of the other branches of knowledge. As our country approaches energy independence, its need for outside sources of fuel and more efficiently utilizes our fuel supply at home, we strengthen our position as a world power and increase the need for jobs here at home. Because of the increased utilization of natural gas as an energy source (as opposed to such dirty alternatives as coal), and the efficiency of the pipeline as oil transportation as opposed to freight train, boat, or truck, our country’s emissions decrease. However, the Goodall family should look further into this issue. What about the increase of construction for the pipeline, resulting in destruction to the actual land? This project devastates many natural habitats. These environmental issues must be weighed with the benefits of greater energy security. Also, people surrounding areas of fracking are losing their health, which must be balanced with the fact that jobs go up and oil prices are going down. The proper data must be collected, analyzed, and mined to find out which relationships are most beneficial to the country overall.
There are several environmental issues that need to be considered by the Goodall Family as well as the Madison County Board before they make their decisions to allow the construction of the pipeline. There are five major environmental concerns involving pipeline construction. These five are habitat disruption, water contamination, air pollution, seismic events, and freshwater availability. Each of these are intertwined with one another. For example, pipeline construction can cause seismic events, which can cause water contamination, leading to cause habitat disruption. That is why both the Goodall family and Madison County Board must take into consideration the threat of any one of these environmental events taking place. If one event occurs, it will be difficult to stop a chain reaction of environmental disruption. In addition, many pipeline companies are exempt from most of the legislation that serves to protect and prevent each of these environmental threats. Each of these areas, including exemption from legislation, are also heavily impacted by other areas of the pipeline issue like governance, national energy security, and the technology and natural science behind the pipeline. It is crucial that both parties examine both the threats and chain reactions on the environment that may occur from the construction of this pipeline.
