Pipelines more efficient than rail

Sarath Peiris's commentary on Feb. 2 serves as a reminder of how blind the climate scare crowd are to the facts. Peiris seems giddy that the KXL pipeline has been scrapped and proudly states that 500,000 barrels a day of oil are moving on rail. The danger of a spill on rail is dozens of times more likely than in a modern pipeline. The damage to the environment is much higher with a diesel guzzling locomotive than an efficient pipeline.

A pipeline line runs 24 hours a day without affecting the transport of other goods, whereas a shipment of oil takes the place of other goods moving.

Furthermore 830,000 bpd is more than 60 per cent greater than that being moved by rail. This would result in more well-paid jobs for families, more revenues to cash-strapped governments and will trickle down the entire economy.

Peiris cites U.S. shale gas, but ignores the fact the depletion rate is many times that of conventional oil and the reserves are already on a steep decline.

Lastly, the world needs oil, your fancy EV has several hundred pounds of plastic in it and will need lubricants, industry needs lubricants, modern homes have many products derived from oil as do many household items, including your sacred phone.

One last challenge — go through your wardrobe and toss everything that has synthetic (AKA petroleum based) fibres. My guess is you would be a little embarrassed to go out in public.

Dan Bachman, Saskatoon