The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, citing the Inside Sources news organization, reports that a group of pipeline protesters is selling an ecoterrorism manual to instruct others on how to fight energy infrastructure projects. DAM, short for Direct Action Manual, is being sold for $25 a copy by groups connected to the protest camp for the Mariner East 2 pipeline in Pennsylvania.

Published by Earth First!, which the chamber describes as “an openly radical environmentalist group and journal, the manual lays out protest techniques for use by environmental protesters. Some approaches were said to be used at the Dakota Access Pipeline protests last year. “Earth First! supports violent actions against energy infrastructure development and the manual itself is essentially an ecoterrorist’s handbook, laying out techniques and approaches to stop various forms of energy infrastructure development,” notes the Chamber of Commerce. “Now on its third edition, its publishers are supporters of the protest against the Mariner 2 pipeline in Pennsylvania and worked to stop the Keystone XL pipeline in the past.”

“The possibilities are really endless, and you should let your imagination run wild,” the Direct Action Manual advises. “Do they only value money and property? Some slashed tires, paint stripper, and sand in the gas tank can certainly make them think twice about if their choices are worth it.... Channel your inner younger sibling energy and you’ll be sure to make someone’s life hell.” The chamber comments this is followed by a section detailing how to turn off lights and water at someone’s home or business and recipes for do-it-yourself stink bombs and “critter bombs” using dead animals.

The Chamber of Commerce adds that many violent tactics were used in the protests surrounding the recently completed Dakota Access Pipeline, including arson, rioting, vandalism, tires slashed and hoses cut on heavy equipment machinery, construction and security workers attacked, and Molotov cocktails hurled at police. During the protests, pipeline opponents calling themselves Climate Direct Action attacked four other pipelines.
“Now with an energy-friendly president in the White House it should be easier to get oil and natural gas pipeline projects through the federal permitting process,” observes the chamber. “In response, keep it in the ground folks may resort to more violence to stop them. Energy infrastructure developers and law enforcement must be vigilant. Also, anyone (or groups) tempted to join these pipeline protests—like celebrities—should think twice about the types of people they may be associating with. Spirited debate is an American tradition, but it crosses the line when it becomes violent.”

(SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, May 22, 2017. Subscribe at www.BPNews.com)