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Despite the recent Colonial Pipeline hack, in which the pipeline that supplies the East Coast with fuel was held captive with ransomware, most Americans support pipelines, citing environmental factors as well as infrastructure benefits.
More than 60% of respondents in a survey voiced positive opinions about pipelines and their role in the nation.
“The Colonial Pipeline cybersecurity hack highlights how critical pipelines are to keeping America moving. Unbelievably, the Biden administration supports shutting pipelines down—making our country less energy independent and less secure—while simultaneously assuring Americans they’re going to keep the gas flowing, and despite the fact that pipelines are the most environmentally sensitive and carbon neutral way to transport oil," Mark Meckler, president of Convention of States Action, said.
Meckler claimed that President Joe Biden’s energy policy is in direct conflict with many voters, who support this source of energy.
“This is another example of how the Biden administration is at odds with the majority of Americans, who are increasingly thinking the 2022 election can’t come soon enough,” Meckler said.
Over 80% of Republican voters believe that pipelines are a vital part of the country’s infrastructure, while 45.3% of Democrats hold the same view. Almost 58% of independent voters hold this view, despite the recent ransomware attacks on the Georgia-based pipeline.
“By going after the entire ecosystem that fuels ransomware and digital extortion attacks — including criminal proceeds in the form of digital currency — we will continue to use all of our resources to increase the cost and consequences of ransomware and other cyber-based attacks,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said.
The pipeline had its operations shut down on May 7, when the DarkSide ransomware hacked into the computer system and disabled the operations.
The ransom of $5 million was paid but the U.S. government has allegedly recovered most of that money.
The survey on the national opinion of pipelines was conducted by Trafalgar Group in conjunction with Convention of States Action.