Infrastructure Development Minus The Taxpayer Expense

A recent opinion piece in The Hill, a DC-based publication, noted that traditionally when politicians call for updating our nation’s infrastructure it is usually comes at the expense of the taxpayer. Robin Rorick, Director of midstream and industry operations for the American Petroleum Institute explains that doesn’t always have to be the case – at least it isn’t when it comes to our country’s pipeline infrastructure.

In the piece Rorick notes, “We all notice infrastructure needs when we drive over a pothole or get stuck in traffic back-ups caused by the latest bridge repair. But flipping a light switch, turning up the thermostat, gassing up the car – and, crucially, what we pay for these essentials – also rely on infrastructure. The difference is, updating energy transportation infrastructure promises major economic gains without costing a dime of consumers’ tax dollars.”

And, as we’ve often pointed out, it’s infrastructure that is still lacking. Even with nearly 200,000 miles of petroleum pipelines crossing the country, there is still a significant shortage in pipeline infrastructure connecting our new found regions of production to areas where it will be refined and consumed.

Dakota Access is an important part of making those connections because it will benefit consumers in our own region, as well as spur economic development in the production areas. And at no cost to the taxpayer, it’s certainly a responsible investment.