Did you know that the vast majority of oil pipeline projects proceed without any of the drama or debate which surrounded Keystone XL? The only reason that the 1,179 mile TransCanada pipeline segment, known as Keystone XL, had to be approved was because it crossed an international border between the US and Canada. Keep in mind that before, during and after Keystone’s tortuous 7 year boondoggle, thousands of miles of pipeline have been laid down across the US. These domestic pipeline projects similarly involve property rights acquired through eminent domain, potential environmental harm, and scores of localized resistance movements attempting to stop these unending construction projects.

You may recall that during the KXL ” environmental fight club,” there were many environmentalists trying to yell over the din to alert Americans that there are pipeline projects concurrently underway quite possibly right under their noses. For many of us, this was a splash of cold water on top of an already drenching shower of new awareness. Thanks to the “trial by fire” for millions of Americans which came out of the endless Keystone XL coverage, more attention than ever is now being focused on pipeline projects, in general, with varying results:

Former Iowa politician and current environmental activist Ed Fallon is coming to the end of a 400-mile trek along the proposed Bakken pipeline in Iowa, trying to call attention to environmental impacts and raise objections to this project. This is from his blog:

And here is a photo of Ed Fallon (with a fellow activist) taken during his journey:

It’s important to keep up the momentum from the Keystone XL veto by President Obama and not forget that this is, for all of us, a long journey much like Ed Fallon’s.

Please follow his blog, which has updates of his travels, “like” him on Facebook, and Twitter and let’s “up” our collective game to oppose these projects wherever they pop up.