Oil Sands Truth: Shut Down the Tar Sands

Water

Water is needed in huge amounts in tarsands production and in all other construction stages of tarsands infrastructure across the continent. It takes five litres of water to produce one of usable petrol. There is also water used to move gas, build new tar pits or that water which becomes polluted in the outlying areas. Waste tailings ponds are so vast as to be visible from outer space at this early point in production. Water is now being privatized in slow motion, as “access rights” are available in Alberta. As production grows and climate change continues to parch southern Albertan land, more and more water will be needed to help supply fuel for the American market. This water will ultimately be diverted from rivers, lakes, farms and cities throughout Canada; the water levels in the Athabasca River have already dropped several meters. The Deh Cho/Mackenzie River is already threatened, both from development along its valley and it is downstream from tar sands operations. A generation ago, the Athabasca River was clear and drinking was common. Now, those that live with the river consider it poison and off-limits.

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Prince Rupert Harbour development threatens 10,000 years of Coast Tsimshian history and thousands of human remains

Prince Rupert Harbour development threatens 10,000 years of Coast Tsimshian
history and thousands of human remains

PRINCE RUPERT (January 24, 2008) - The Allied Tribes of the Coast Tsimshian
struggle to protect the 10,000 years of history and thousands of human
remains that are threatened by development around the Prince Rupert Harbour,
says the Honourable Iona Campagnolo.

Campagnolo, the former Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, who
moderated a three-day seminar on Prince Rupert Harbour Archaeological

Premier tells U.S. that environmental toll from tar sands is a "myth"

Premier tells U.S. that environmental toll from oilsands is a "myth"
5 days ago

WASHINGTON - Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach asked American business leaders Wednesday not to buy into the "myth" that oilsands production comes at too high an environmental cost, saying attempts to curtail it "don't make sense."

But he faced disbelieving protesters at every turn on the first day of his trade visit to the United States, including about 35 environmentalists who passed out flyers to guests arriving at a Canadian embassy reception.

N Dakota: Feds say Keystone won’t harm environment

Feds say Keystone won’t harm environment
Janell Cole N.D. Capitol Bureau
Published Friday, January 18, 2008
BISMARCK — The TransCanada Keystone Pipeline “would result in limited adverse environmental impacts” in North Dakota and other states it will pass through, the U.S. government says.

The State Department has released its final environmental impact statement on the project, though it will still accept public comment until approximately Feb. 11, then issue a final order, according to a cover letter to “colleagues and stakeholders” dated Jan. 11.

The Dirty Dilemma of Canadian Crude...

The Dirty Dilemma of Canadian Crude
Tar sands oil comes at an environmental cost. But blocking it from the U.S. may make matters worse

By Damian Joseph
January 21, 2008

Globalization is Fueling Global Warming

Globalization is Fueling Global Warming
by Les Leopold
AlterNet (December 28 2007)

As global warming negotiations move from Bali towards a worldwide
treaty, it is important to address how global warming and global trade
work hand-in-hand.

Globalization is to global warming what warm water in the Gulf of Mexico
waters was to Hurricane Katrina. And, unless we wisely limit rapidly
accelerating global trade, we will see equally disastrous and deadly
results - worsening global warming and a continued chemical poisoning of
our world.

Stelmach Goes to Washington; Controversial Kearl Tar Sands Project Goes to Court

EcoJustice: Stelmach Goes to Washington; Controversial Kearl Tar Sands Project Goes to Court

First Nations vow to occupy eastern Ont. site to block uranium mining

Keith Leslie, THE CANADIAN PRESS Published Friday January 11th, 2008

TORONTO - Aboriginals in eastern Ontario warned Friday that they would ignore a court order and illegally occupy the site of a proposed uranium mine north of Kingston later this month unless the province calls a halt to the project.

Detroit: Say no to refinery expansion (for Albertan Tar Sands)

Detroit: Say no to refinery expansion
January 10, 2008

By ED McARDLE

In the debate over record gas prices, some experts point to dwindling supplies unable to meet soaring demand, while others stress lack of refinery capacity in the United States. Marathon Oil believes it has the answer.

S.Dakota: Keystone Pipeline Passes Regulatory Hurdle

Jan. 11, 2008, 12:08PM
S.D.: Pipeline Passes Regulatory Hurdle
By DIRK LAMMERS AP Business Writer

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A proposed oil pipeline that would deliver Canadian crude to U.S. refineries has passed another regulatory hurdle.

TransCanada Corp. said Friday that it has received a Final Environmental Impact Statement from the U.S. State Department that says its planned Keystone Pipeline project would result in limited adverse environmental impacts.