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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"Enbridge, Exxon forge link to Texas refineries"

The regional papers should really talk to one another more, or perhaps this is deliberate obfuscation.

Our Leaders Don't Get it -- Suzuki

Our leaders don’t get it
SCIENCE MATTERS by David Suzuki
http://commonground.ca/iss/0706191/cg191_suzuki.shtml

When Environment Minister John Baird announced his government’s new climate change plan, I was in Toronto, getting ready to shoot some television commercials promoting energy conservation. I volunteered to do the commercials because I believe that everyone has to do his fair share to reduce the threat of global warming. Mr. Baird and Prime Minister Harper apparently disagree.

Anti-Tar Sands Boot Camp

Oilsands growth energizes activists
Environmentalists turn up pressure on 'unsustainable' development with training camp in non-violent protest tactics
Hanneke Brooymans, The Edmonton Journal
Published: Monday, June 04, 2007

EDMONTON - A group of frustrated environmentalists has gathered at a camp on the outskirts of Edmonton to learn eco-activist tactics for use against booming oilsands development.

Moratorium 'applies only to southbound oil-tanker traffic' (Yeah, right)

Ban doesn't apply in this case, ministers say
Moratorium 'applies only to southbound oil-tanker traffic'
Christina Montgomery, The Province
Published: Sunday, June 03, 2007
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=8eab3918-c7b2-49ca-...

When is a moratorium not a moratorium? Apparently, when governments decide it's just a "policy."

Tankers sailing into Kitimat

Tankers sailing into Kitimat
Environmentalists claim ban being violated
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=41e59307-af32-4f58-...
Christina Montgomery, The Province
Published: Sunday, June 03, 2007

Transport Canada has confirmed that, since January 2006, 14 tankers have sailed through the area covered by a federal tanker-traffic moratorium to deliver condensate -- a toxic solvent headed for Alberta's tar sands -- to Kitimat.

Baghdad Burns, Calgary Booms

Baghdad Burns, Calgary Booms
By Naomi Klein // The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070618/klein

The invasion of Iraq has set off what could be the largest oil boom in
history. All the signs are there: multinationals free to gobble up
national firms at will, ship unlimited profits home, enjoy leisurely
"tax holidays" and pay a laughable 1 percent in royalties to the
government.

This isn't the boom in Iraq sparked by the proposed new oil law--that
will come later. This boom is already in full swing, and it is

Opinions differ on safety of possible nuclear plant

Opinions differ on safety of possible nuclear plant
Last Updated: Monday, May 28, 2007 | 11:42 AM MT
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2007/05/28/alberta-nuclear.html

A sustainable energy advocate is warning about the possible safety drawbacks of building a nuclear power plant in Alberta, but an engineering expert said the risks are small.

"There are all sorts of different ways in which material can leave the plant under both normal operating conditions, accident conditions or the possibility of a security incident," said Mark Winfield of the Pembina Institute.

Nuclear Power Alternative in Alberta Raising Questions of Appropriateness

Nuclear Power Alternative in Alberta Raising Questions of Appropriateness
http://www.resourceinvestor.com/pebble.asp?relid=32318
By Dina O'Meara
27 May 2007 at 09:02 PM GMT-04:00

CALGARY (CP) -- Nuclear power might be all the rage for some interested parties in Alberta's oil patch, but others question the need for such controversial power generation in an industry that requires more steam than electricity.

Enbridge pipeline project facing complaints (Wisconsin)

Enbridge pipeline project facing complaints (Wisconsin)
http://www.wiscnews.com/pdr/news/133887
The Associated Press

WAUSAU — The pay for trees being cut is unfair. Some trees shouldn't be chopped down — like 100-year-old oaks. There are threats. Even human waste was left behind from earlier work.

Backlash against a whistle-blower

GLOBE & MAIL, MAY 19th by Andrew Nikiforuk

THE ENVIRONMENT: HEALTH AND SAFETY
Backlash against a whistle-blower
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070519.DOCTOR19/TPSto... nvironment

For years, Dr. John O'Connor has made headlines by continually asking why natives near the oil sands have so much cancer.
But that's not the only reason he's in such hot water now. Andrew Nikiforuk reports ANDREW NIKIFORUK May 19, 2007.
The Globe and Mail.