MPR Podcast: Rivers of Oil Good, Despite Some Factual Errors

Minnesota Public Radio has produced a series of four podcasts called Rivers of Oil, which examines the proposed replacement of the Enbridge  Line 3 oil pipeline from several angles. You can access the podcast here.

According to the podcast, the Line 3 oil pipeline has become so controversial some environmental groups are threatening to set up protest camps similar to those seen to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline.

But pipelines weren’t always this controversial. In fact, as recently as 15 years ago, oil pipelines were about as uncontroversial as you could get.

As the podcast details, that’s all changed.

The podcast is worth listening to, even if it has some factual errors. For example, the podcast claims oil production from fracking is surging in Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Texas. Pennsylvania is extracting natural gas through fracking, and North Dakota is the state experiencing an oil boom.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is expected to rule on the Line 3 permit and route today or tomorrow. Approving the new route will be the best way to protect the environment.