The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) is planned to be about 1,172 miles long and stretch from the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota to Patoka, Illinois.The Access pipeline is planned to cost around 3.7 billion dollars, and estimated to carry 70,000 to 570,000 barrels of oil per day if completed. From its ending point in Illinois, the oil would travel to refineries in the Midwest, East, and Gulf Coast.

The Dakota pipeline is predicted to create thousands of jobs, approximately eight to twelve thousand. With this new addition, it is predicted that millions of dollars will be poured into the local and state economies revenue. Although Trump says that there is predicted to be about 28,000 jobs, researchers have found a different predicament proclaiming, “The Brookings Institution estimates just 40 full-time permanent positions will remain upon the conclusion of construction on the DAPL.”

Although there would be an increase in job opportunities and funding for surrounding states, the Dakota Access Pipeline will threaten the water supply of the Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River tribe, as well as those who are downstream. Many opponents to the pipeline are worried because if it were to rupture, the pipeline is constructed under the Missouri river, therefore contaminating the river.

About 20,000 spills are reported to the federal government each year and “According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 1.3 million gallons (4.9 million liters) of petroleum are spilled into U.S. waters from vessels and pipelines in a typical year….A major oil spill could easily double that amount”The United States should invest its peoples’ money into options that will be more reliable, instead of putting an end to the lives of others and deteriorating the planet, as well as allow room for future generations to thrive.