Bakken pipeline is right choice

To the editor:

The Bakken pipeline is a needed improvement in Americas's future. Currently, the oil is transported by rail in tank cars which have proved to be dangerous. Iowa has thousands of miles of existing pipelines in the ground carrying natural gas and other volatile petroleum products without harm to our environment and population. The United States instead of relying on the Saudis could become a net exporter of petroleum products creating new jobs.

The suggestion that the future to the energy demands of our society can be meet by wind and solar is not viable. Both energy sources are intermittent and have to be sustained by natural gas, coal or nuclear generation providing the base demand. Both wind and solar are not at this time economically viable and require substantial taxpayer support.

Let the Bakken pipeline become a reality.

Henry Royer

Cedar Rapids