Forests

A great article and summation, though I believe that author Swanson is a tad too optimistic to suggest that the project looks dead. The plans for moving heavy bitumen [et al] to other markets-- with the US most likely demanding to be the first ones considered-- must happen in phases, because the recoverability/daily oil-producing capacity cannot be tripled overnight.

Approximately only a month ago the first new refinery in decades was announced to be under construction in the lower 48 states. This is not to be the last, as the absolutely unparalleled growth of the tarsands is leaving bottle neck-like conditions for transporting the sludge-then-crude-then petrol through the refining processes across Turtle Island. Husky will no doubt go along with some of the foreseen upgrading of facilities, rather than worry about an entirely new refinery. It's all a part of the largest project in history.

--M

Husky on the prowl for refining capacity

When Royal Dutch Shell recently bought out Shell Canada, the world's most notorious oil corporation became directly involved in many of the world's most deadly plans for the environment, social rights and indigenous self-determination. In northern British Columbia, RD Shell has inherited an exploration permit to look in the sacred headwaters of the Nass, Skeena and the Stikine rivers for Coalbed Methane, perhaps the single worst water damaging form of gas extraction that has been linked to stillbirths in animals and humans nearby.

By Lynn Martel - Rocky Mountains
Expedition to raise awareness about threats to Athabasca River
http://www.rockymountainoutlook.ca/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=128&cat=4...
Jul 11 2007

"Water is the ultimate traveller. It flows off mountains, all the way to oceans, and it can fly too."

The Richest First Nation in Canada
by Macdonald Stainsby / July 10th, 2007
http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/07/the-richest-first-nation-in-canada/

The primarily indigenous and mostly Cree (also ‘Chipewyan Dene’) community of Fort MacKay — just north of the internationally famous tar sand “boom” city of Fort McMurray — is said to be the “richest First Nation in Canada.” The question should be asked: How well does this reach the entire community, and does the economic benefit outweigh the cost?

June 12, 2007
Or Why It Feels Good to be Smeared by Patrick Moore
Confessions of a Anti-Nuke Jerk
http://counterpunch.org/wasserman06122007.html
By HARVEY WASSERMAN

Patrick Moore has called me a "jerk." He may not be Queen Elizabeth, but it feels like being made Knight of the Realm.

Moore is a supporter of nuclear power. He is also an advocate for clear-cutting forests, genetically modified foods and a wide range of other corporate eco-assaults. The companies behind them fund Moore's "consulting" agency, which appears to specialize in greenwashing.

Landowners Oppose Pipeline
http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail6371.cfm?Id=0,57795
06/11/2007

TransCanada's proposed Keystone pipeline consists of 1,845 miles of 30-inch pipeline running from Alberta Canada to Illinois. The proposed route has the line going through eastern South Dakota, where it's running into opposition from landowners.

TransCanada says it would pay for long and short term damage the pipeline may cause, but some landowners are concerned with more than the money.

Connector route roughed out

The sections marked in red show where logging roads already exist. The blue is the “to-do’ part of the proposed Connector.
http://www.northernsentinel.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=16&cat=23&id...

By Ryan Calvery

Jul 04 2007

Although a definitive right of way has never been carved out for a Houston-Kitimat road link, one resident has mapped out a plan that involves private investment.

California clean air standards a danger to Cdn oil industry
2007-06-08
http://money.canoe.ca/News/Other/2007/06/08/4243714-ap.html

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Clean-air agreements signed by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and two Canadian provinces could dramatically slow oil production in the Alberta tar sands.

Ontario and British Columbia have agreed to adhere to California's low-carbon fuel standards, which means the provinces will have to curb oil production sources that create high amounts of global-warming emissions.

Exxon frets over Arctic gas pipeline cost
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/oil/pipeline/story/8934914p-8834883c...
'NOT VIABLE': CEO weighs inflation impact on projects in Canada, Alaska.

By WESLEY LOY
Anchorage Daily News

Published: May 31, 2007
Last Modified: May 31, 2007 at 06:16 AM

Exxon Mobil Corp.'s chief executive told stockholders Wednesday that rising costs to build pipelines to exploit Arctic natural gas from Alaska and Canada possibly could red-light the projects as uneconomic.