Crude oil transportation is detrimental to the global environment.  In New York, the crude oil is shipped along tracks that run next to the Hudson River, creating a hazardous environment in the river valley habitats and to close residents.  Major crude oil lines run from Bakken Shale in North Dakota to Albany just along the Hudson River.   Albany receives up to 400,000 barrels per day and the amount of crude oil transported has doubled over the past 3 years.  Oil from Bakken Feilds, North Dakota is especially volatile and explosive since it contains harmful chemicals such as butane, ethane, and propane.  Crude oil lines similar to this line are located throughout the entire country.

Crude oil spills are very common, and it is especially hazardous for crude oil to be transported along rivers.  For example, in July 2013, more than 70 cars filled with crude oil derailed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec.  30 buildings were destroyed,47 people died, and the surrounding habitat was decimated.   The Chaudiere River became filled with crude oil causing many species to die.  Additionally, there have been many major oil spills within the United States; as an example, Keystone Pipeline  spilled about 383,000 gallons of oil into the North Dakota wetlands within the first week of November this year.

Additionally, fossil fuels also accounted for 90 percent of global energy consumption in 2000, and this has only increased since then.   If the oil industry remains unchecked, future generations will suffer tremendously.  Fossil fuels are a leading cause for global warming, which will continue to get worse.

Instead of continuing to transport volatile crude oil and pollute the air with fossil fuels, we are petitioning for investments in alternative power sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear energy.  The United States Environmental Protection Agency needs to strictly regulate the crude oil industry, and congress should pass a bill to invest in clean energy in the United States.