Oil Sands Truth: Shut Down the Tar Sands

Labour / Migration

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.

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ERCB report shows 14 percent growth in Alberta tar sands production in 2009

ERCB report shows 14 percent growth in Alberta oil sands production in 2009
by: Government of Alberta | Jun 5th, 2010

June 5, 2010

Alberta’s Reserves 2009 and Supply/Demand Outlook 2010 – 2019

Fast Facts

Bitumen Reserves and Production

Big Jump in Tar Sands Oil Tankers in Vancouver's Port

Big Jump in Oil Tankers in Vancouver's Port

Flow of tar sands crude to Burrard Inlet rising, and will more than double: Kinder Morgan.

By Mitchell Anderson, 3 Jun 2010, TheTyee.ca

The proposed Enbridge Gateway pipeline to Kitimat is stirring strong public opposition to the super tankers it would attract along British Columbia's northern coast.

But a bigger risk may lie in the steeply rising number of oil tankers already plying B.C.'s coast -- up nearly 50 per cent in just two years -- to handle the growing flow of tar sands petroleum from Alberta.

Oil-smeared logos to match BP’s tarnished image

Oil-smeared logos to match BP’s tarnished image
Jun 04 2010

Sarah Barmak Special to the Star

Oil giant BP is already besieged by mounting damage lawsuits, a U.S. Justice Department investigation, and a tumbling stock price. Now, some want to hit the company responsible for the Gulf oil spill where it hurts: right in the logo.

NYTimes: Imagining Life Without Oil, and Being Ready

Imagining Life Without Oil, and Being Ready
Brendan Smialowski for The New York Times

Jennifer Wilkerson’s preparations for a post-petroleum world include growing her own food and stockpiling supplies against any shortages.
By JOHN LELAND
June 5, 2010

As oil continued to pour into the Gulf of Mexico on a recent Saturday, Jennifer Wilkerson spent three hours on the phone talking about life after petroleum.

Reliance on Tar Sands Grows Despite Environmental Risks

Reliance on Oil Sands Grows Despite Environmental Risks
Jim Wilson/The New York Times
By CLIFFORD KRAUSS and ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
Published: May 18, 2010

There is no chance of a rig blowout here, or a deepwater oil spill like the one from the BP well that is now fouling the Gulf of Mexico. But the oil extracted from Canada’s oil sands poses other environmental challenges, like toxic sludge ponds, greenhouse gas emissions and the destruction of boreal forests.

The Gulf oil spill in context: US oil consumption

The Gulf oil spill in context: US oil consumption
Jeremy Hance
mongabay.com
May 31, 2010

[graphs and charts at link at bottom of this article]

New pipeline won't sate Asian oil demand -Enbridge

New pipeline won't sate Asian oil demand -Enbridge
Mon May 31, 2010 5:08pm EDT

CALGARY Alberta, May 31 (Reuters) - The planned C$5.5 billion ($5.3 billion) Northern Gateway pipeline will not be big enough to satisfy demand for Canadian oil sands crude from Pacific Rim nations, Enbridge Inc (ENB.TO), the line's backer, said in regulatory filings.

Kinder slows Canadian plans

Kinder slows Canadian plans
Calgary Herald
May 26, 2010

Pipelines - Kinder Morgan Energy Partners has slowed multibillion-dollar plans to add oil pipeline capacity to Canada's West Coast due to a lack of demand, but still believes its proposal is the oilsands industry's best option, its president said Tuesday.

Kinder Morgan and Enbridge Inc. have both floated projects to move crude from Alberta's oilsands to the Pacific Coast, where it could be shipped by tanker to Asia.

Southeast Texas Keystone XL Hearings

PIPELINE
Potential piping project opens debate

Jennifer Johnson
Orange County Editor

A proposed pipeline funneling what skeptics call "dirty oil" into Southeast Texas from the tar sand mines of Canada has drawn criticism from some Beaumont/Port Arthur residents, the local branch of the Sierra Club and the Texas office of Public Citizen, but officials working with the unconventional crude say the majority of what is being said is hyperbole at best.

BP process in Whiting called 'destructive'

New report slams oil sands
BP process in Whiting called 'destructive'
May 20, 2010
BY GITTE LAASBY,

When BP Whiting starts processing more Canadian oil sands, residents near the refinery will experience more pollution and health effects from it, according to a new report by a coalition of environmental groups.