It turns out the size of these monster loads of oil equipment can be reduced-
We kept hearing that they had to come over Highway 12 and they were “X” big, . . . end of discussion. That wasn’t so. Permits have now been issued for smaller, giant loads. However, will this mean twice as many clogging the highway for years on end?
Updates:
- Idaho issues permits for chopped down megaloads. Associated Press
- Modified megaloads to roll through Coeur d”Alene, Idaho. (U.S. 95). Betsy Z. Russell. The Spokesman-Review. Hmmm. Seems like local folks in Idaho are winning on the megaloads.
– – –
Added 6-19-2011. “Nancy furnished this link, writing, “Or maybe they will give up altogether?” It is from the Missoulian.
Print Friendly
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is President of the Western Watersheds Project.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Or maybe they will give up altogether?
http://fwix.com/missoula/share/6ab86b2a44/megaloads_alberta_oil_producers_look_for_ways_to_bypass_montana_idaho_highways
Nancy,
Thank you! This is so good I will add it to the post.
Given the decline of the North American economy and workforce, they should have built this stuff in the US or Canada recruiting and training American or Canadian workers to do it. The real victory would be getting these pirate companies to adopt THAT approach. People seem so oblivious to how these companies, their management, their stockholders, never put anything, no loyalty to anyplace or any country or anybody, ahead of their greed when it comes to their business practices; yet, when it comes time to snooker the voters and get control of the legislative process, they wrap themselves in the flag and pay their slimy advertising crews to trot out the “American Exceptionalism” dog and pony show.
Totally agree Mikarooni and if you’re wondering why the urgent need to lay waste to Canada’s wilderness, check out this article and the links within:
http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2011-02-28/dirty-little-oil-market-secret
There’s always been concern that Saudi Arabia has overstated their reserves. If I remember correctly, they haven’t allowed an independent analysis of what their reserves actually are.
It’s hard to state what the actual world oil reserves are. It changes over time as technology breakthroughs are achieved in the field of exploration. What is considered unfeasable today might be profitable 20 or 30 years from now.
http://www.radford.edu/wkovarik/oil/
During a down economy, it’s so convenient to try and justify any type of project by saying that in creates jobs.
An unecessary construction project? “It’s a job creator!!!”
Environmentally damaging shipments of foreign made industrial equipment? “It will create jobs!!!”
More logging even though the price of lumber is already depressed? “We need those jobs now!!!
Wasteful and environmentally damaging “green” project? “JOBS JOBS JOBS!!!”
Not to say that jobs aren’t important right now, but creating them in all the wrong places won’t ultimately do any long-term good.