It is falsely assumed that big projects equal lots of jobs and, by extension, labour peace if not outright satisfaction. The size and scope of the tarsands means for incredibly dangerous work conditions-- some fatalities at the plants have already occurred. The products seldom get their "value added" in union-run locations, instead the heavy bitumen can be shipped to many different locations across North America for refining, denying benefits to the union. However, the Union does not represent the "guest worker", now being imported in increasing numbers as legislation is changed to make access easier, the term of exploitation last longer, without any new efforts or pathways to deciding to stay after helping tear up the earth.
No to a New Tar Sands Pipeline
Published: April 2, 2011
New York Times
Later this year, the State Department will decide whether to approve construction of a 1,700-mile oil pipeline from Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast called Keystone XL. The underground 36-inch pipeline, built by TransCanada, would link the tar sands fields of northern Alberta to Texas refineries and begin operating in 2013. The department should say no.
Enormous Kearl-bound oilsands shipments target of Montana lawsuit
By: The Canadian Press
Posted: 04/1/2011
CALGARY - The Government of Montana is being challenged in court over its decision to approve the shipment of enormous truckloads of oilsands equipment through the state to northern Alberta.
Missoula County and three environmental groups say in a lawsuit that the state Transportation Department made the wrong decision in allowing the shipments and are demanding a full environmental impact assessment.
Republicans press Obama to approve oilsands pipeline
By Sheldon Alberts, Postmedia News March 31, 2011
WASHINGTON — The heated policy debate over Alberta's oilsands took centre stage Thursday in the U.S. Congress, with Republican lawmakers claiming President Barack Obama has "failed to act" swiftly enough to ensure a secure long-term supply of Canadian crude.
Canada provinces continue to back nuclear power
VANCOUVER, March 15 (Reuters) - Key Canadian provinces reaffirmed their support for nuclear power on Tuesday and the national regulator declared the country's generating stations safe even as Japan's crisis spurred other nations to back away from nuclear.
Ontario, Canada's most populous province, said there was no change in its plans to keep the nuclear-powered portion of its electricity output at 50 percent.
Global unrest making oil sands look even more attractive
February 23, 2011
CALGARY, AB, Feb. 23, 2011/ Troy Media/ – Oil prices spiked to their highest level since the recession this morning, as unrest in several Middle-Eastern countries spooked commodity markets. How this impacts Alberta depends largely on how long the rise lasts for. If instability continues to reign, it could spell good news for investment in Alberta.
Utah’s tar sands
By mike duncan
Mar 09 2011
Salt Lake Tribune
Tar sands are no longer a what-if. This water-intensive mining may be coming to Utah soon, and what it could become is a big deal indeed.
Unlike gas wells, extracting oil from sand is neither quiet nor unobtrusive. Despite admirable efforts to minimize water use and reduce water pollution, the industry uses considerable water and generates wastes, especially if pipelines are built and field refineries established to avoid trucking the thick oil.
It’s Well Past Time to Start Taking Peak Oil Seriously
by Jeremy R. Hammond
February 27, 2011
72Share
The Difference Between Oil Reserves and Supply
Monday | March 07, 2011
Oil discoveries versus oil consumption bar graph
The following article appeared in the March7, 2011 edition of Peak Oil Review, published weekly by the Association for the Study of Peak Oil USA. I thought EV World readers would find it of value.
Military members push for pipeline
Daily Progress, Jacksonville, TX
March 5, 2011
Meagan O'Toole-Pitts Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Sat Mar 05, 2011, 02:11 PM CST
JACKSONVILLE — The American GI Forum of Texas and 66 military veterans urged Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to grant TransCanada a Presidential Permit to allow construction of the Keystone XL pipeline expansion this week, aiming to reduce the nation’s dependency on oil in the Middle East.
Horizon slow to resume production; damages may hit $400 million
By Shaun Polczer, Calgary Herald
March 4, 2011
CALGARY - Canadian Natural Resources on Thursday said it will take longer than expected to get its fire-damaged Horizon oilsands project back to full production.
