TBR

Pipelines leak, and they will leak in the future. But usually the most significant aspect of the reporting of a small leak is that there is an indication that the leak detection system is working. This is not a black and white issue. I would actually prefer they be routed above ground over rivers and reservoirs so they could be more readily inspected visually.

agree

You might be right, but never is a hell of a long time and history is replete with examples of engineering marvels that failed. The Titanic is an example that comes to mind. There are also plenty of examples of pipeline failures.

Well said.

Ah, I am not so sure about that...

There is obviously a more fundamental issue than cost/benefit tradeoff of pipelines. That issue is: do we as a society continue to exploit petroleum resources. I think the answer is yes. We are unfortunately nowhere near capable of supplying all our energy needs with so called green energy sources, and yes, I accept that the earth is warming and that it is impossible to absolve humanity of any and all culpability for said warming. Either use the available resources or switch all the lights off, and I don't know anyone willing to go the later route. So if you are to exploit the available resources, then they must be transported. Pick your poison be it barges, pipelines, rail, whatever. It is also worth noting that certain environmental groups, while opposing offshore drilling, have blessed utilization of Bakken crude.

Sorry, but that simply is not true.

The pore space of sand is typically about 25%, while the pore space in clay is about 40%, which might seems counterintuitive. It is the degree of interconnectedness of the pore spaces that determines the material's transmissivity, and sand is more transmissive than clay. Below the river 90 feet you will find sand. Below that sand in the area we are talking about you will get into silty, clayey formations like the Hell Creek Formation. Below the river you have essentially 100% saturation so the oil, being lighter than and immiscible with water, moves upward. Now beneath a reservoir groundwater movement is downward, but the density gradient between the oil and the water will trump the hydraulic gradient. And yes, I am a hydrogeologist.

I will be staying in Loveland so I would prefer not to have to go into Denver.

They are on Fox North if I recall correctly

Anyone know of a sports bar in Ft Collins/Loveland that might be able to bring in the UND/UM hockey games?

I recently attended an event on the topic of sustainability. My assumption was that there would be presentations and discussions about limiting wastefulness and promoting renewable forms of energy, but most of the speakers pivoted towards Standing Rock. At one point it was mentioned that the Tribal members had plenty of winter clothes, blankets and food, but what they really needed were gas cards. I had to wonder to how many people in attendance the irony of this statement was lost. I actually understand how the Standing Rock population feels like they are being dumped on, but it seems to me that their angst should be directed at their leadership for opting out of the public comment phase of the permitting process. Had their leadership expended as much effort at opposing the permit as the local population is now expending on protesting, the permits probably would not have been approved.

Indeed, you never know when a prediction will be made.

Bear in mind my predictions are worth only the time it takes to read them, at best...

UND typically wins when I tell myself I am going to be stone cold objective with a prediction, so here goes: Weber 28, UND 23

I've made my reservations for Boyd Lake State Park campground. I am going to assume that there is no real need to buy tickets in advance of the game. Please advise otherwise (anyone) if my assumption is incorrect.

Well said zonadub. We can continue to develop and embrace our newer rivalries with the likes of Montana and still play at least one of the Dakota 3 every year. Sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too.

F'hawks.

Hated the generic name but have moved on. Actually like the logo. Did not think I would say this for several more years but the football team to me is the Fhawks.

Ditto for Stanley

Hate to look past anyone, but have to wonder if it would be worth holding Reyes out to heal for awhile so he can bring his A game against Weber he following week.

Honestly did not think the hit by #70 on the last play was all that egregious. It was someone else's call to run a play and it looked like he was just playing through the whistle. The chest thump was perhaps a bit over the top.

Not sure why the reigning BSC champion should have ever been underrated. They are no one's cupcake match up.

The prohibition of hemp, once promoted as an economic base by B Franklin, has an interesting history. It has a lot to do with the promotion of fossil fuels.

Cigarettes are Exhibit A as to why the legality of substances has just about everything to do with money/politics and virtually nothing to do with public health and societal well being.