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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"Imperial welcomes regulator move on Arctic gas line"

Imperial welcomes regulator move on Arctic gas line

Vancouver Sun
NEWS SERVICES
OCTOBER 8, 2009

Imperial Oil Ltd. welcomed word from Canadian regulators on Thursday that
final arguments in the review of the $16.2-billion Mackenzie gas pipeline
are set for April, but it could not say if the timeline would allow
construction in 2010.

Imperial, lead partner in the long-delayed Arctic gas project, said the
National Energy Board's announcement of the date adds some certainty to
the process that began with its application to build the pipeline five
years ago.

'H2Oil' Tears up the Tar Sands

Documentary focusing on Fort Chipewyan becomes a powerful tool for climate change activists.

By Dawn Paley, October 8, 2009, TheTyee.ca

When Lionel Lepine's plane landed in London, England in August after a long flight from northern Alberta, his initial reaction was culture shock. It was Lepine's first time flying overseas. The occasion was the Climate Camp for Action, an event now in its third year, which brings together hundreds of grassroots activists who are willing to take direct action in the fight against climate change.

Behold! Canada's most disgusting export

Behold! Canada's most disgusting export
Nothing like Alberta's's revolting oilsands to destroy your optimism
By Mark Morford, SF Gate Columnist
Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Are you having one of those days? One of those moments where you feel like you've endured a simply relentless onslaught of negative news and economic hardship coupled to endless rounds of cretinous politicians -- all of whom enjoy fully paid health care on your tab -- debating whether or not you'll be able to afford to see a doctor ever again, all to the point where you say, you know what? I need just one more.

Enbridge to raise cost estimate on Pacific pipeline [Gateway]

Enbridge to raise cost estimate on Pacific pipeline
Tue Oct 6, 2009

CALGARY, Alberta, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Enbridge Inc (ENB.TO) expects to raise the cost estimate for the Northern Gateway pipeline, last pegged at around C$4 billion ($3.77 billion), when it seeks approvals for the oil sands export line later this year, it said on Tuesday.

North America Refining Industry to 2013

North America Refining Industry to 2013: Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts of All Active and Planned Refineries in North America

Summary

Suncor expanding in Sarnia

Suncor expanding in Sarnia
Published On Sat Oct 03 2009

SARNIA–Suncor Energy Inc. will spend about $120 million over the next year to double the production capacity of its St. Clair ethanol plant near Sarnia, to 400 million litres a year, the company announced Friday.

"This is great news for Suncor, for southern Ontario and for Canada," said Suncor president and CEO Rick George in a statement announcing the expansion.

Eyeing a Total [France] tar sands package

Eyeing a Total oil sands package

Nathan VanderKlippe/The Globe and Mail

Jean-Michel Gires discusses Total's future in Canada

NATHAN VANDERKLIPPE

CALGARY — From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
Oct. 06, 2009

French petroleum giant Total SA could add fuel to the oil sands' resurgence as the company nears a decision on a major expansion project, the company's new Canadian head said yesterday.

Tuktoyaktuk: a community on the frontline of climate change

Tuktoyaktuk: a community on the frontline of climate change
Emma Bocking
1st October, 2009

Canadian coastal communities are faced with rising sea levels as the government continues to support destructive tar sands mining.

As the tar sands move forward, Canada's north is fighting the effects

The hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk on the northern coast of Canada is facing the steadily rising Arctic Ocean at roughly the rate of 3mm per year, which may soon force the community to relocate further south.

Israeli Corp. Ormat’s Opti Takes On Tar Sands In Alberta, A Dirty Deed For The Company’s “Clean” Image

Ormat’s Opti Takes On Oil Sands In Alberta, A Dirty Deed For The Company’s “Clean” Image
Submitted by Maurice Picow on October 4, 2009

Israel’s ORMAT Industries Ltd (ORA) has joined with its subsidiary Opti Canada Inc in a project in extract and produce a high grade of petroleum from oil sands located in northern Alberta Canada. ORMAT is a world leader in producing energy from unconventional sources, including geo-thermal energy from volcanoes and hot springs under the earth’s surface.

Alberta aims to streamline permit process

Alberta aims to streamline permit process
Environmental hurdles under scrutiny
NATHAN VANDERKLIPPE

CALGARY — From Friday's Globe and Mail
Oct. 03, 2009

The Alberta government and Canada's oil sands industry are working on a controversial new plan to make it easier for companies to get environmental permission for certain types of projects.