UPDATE January 18: President Obama has just rejected a permit for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline -- a project that promised riches for the oil giants and an environmental disaster for the rest of us.
His decision represents a victory of historic proportions for NRDC and hundreds of thousands of committed activists like you who have waged an uphill, years-long fight against one of the most nightmarish fossil fuel projects of our time.
Please thank the President right away for his game-changing decision.
Obama's decision has come under attack by Republicans claiming it will cost “tens of thousands” of jobs. In fact, the State Department estimated that Keystone XL would result in just 20 permanent, operational jobs in the United States and 2,500 to 4,650 temporary jobs.
Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline
Stop the Tar Sands Pipeline : Take Action!: Save BioGems: President Obama has changed the rules of the game by listening to the American people, rejecting Big Oil’s political bullying and rejecting the destructive Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. Please send him a message of thanks right away. If you want to have an even bigger impact, please call the White House at 202-456-1111 and convey your personal thanks directly!
"the biggest global warming crime ever seen"
Ben Jervey: The Moral Case Against Tar Sands
The environmental demolition of once pristine land by tar sands extraction is not the only injustice committed by members of The Canadian American Business Council. The toxic byproducts of the mining process are poisoning the First Nations (indigenous peoples in Canada) that rely on the land and water downstream. These sovereign communities have seen high rates of rare cancers since the mining began.
"There's no question that tar sands extraction is a climate catastrophe. The tars sands mining procedure releases at least three times as many greenhouse gas emissions as oil production, and the industry will be emitting 100 million tons of carbon dioxide a year by 2012. Some would say it's "the biggest global warming crime ever seen..."
TAKE ACTION NOW
Contact YOUR senators NOW re KEYSTONE XL
Urge them to reject Republican efforts to speed approval - The only independent analysis of Keystone XL, by Cornell University, said that it would kill more jobs than it would create. And this pipeline will be "essentially game over" for the climate.
There is no room to compromise with Republican hostage takers on this disastrous project.
> U.S. Senators Contact Page
Friends of the Earth ACTION ITEM
> Tell Obama: Keep your promises on the new Keystone XL review
F.O.E. News release: Posted Dec. 7, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a just-finished joint press conference with Canada's Prime Minister Harper, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to a "rigorous" review of the Keystone XL pipeline and threatened to veto any effort to force a rushed decision on the pipeline as part of his proposed payroll tax extension.
> FRIENDS OF THE EARTH
News releases | Blog | Home
Boehner Pledges to Add Oil Pipeline to Short-Term Payroll Bill - Businessweek
Dec. 16 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. House Speaker John Boehner said he would add language expediting approval of a Canadian oil pipeline to a proposal being considered in the Senate that would extend a payroll tax cut for two months.
Some Democrats have opposed language addressing the Keystone XL pipeline because of environmental concerns. Boehner’s comments to reporters today suggest that even a short- term payroll tax cut extension would complicate an agreement between the Republican-controlled House and the Senate, where Democrats hold a majority.
“We will make changes,” Boehner said. “I will guarantee you the Keystone pipeline will be in the bill when it goes back to the Senate.”
Review & Outlook: The Keystone Ultimatum - WSJ.com
"The Keystone codicil is now being negotiated in the Senate, where at least eight Democrats have said publicly they hope the project goes forward: Jon Tester and Max Baucus of Montana, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Mary Landrieu of Lousiana, Mark Begich of Alaska, Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Claire McCaskill of Missouri..."
Oil Spill at John Boehner’s Office | Tar Sands Action
Occupy & 350.org Crash Boehner’s Office over Backroom Attempt to Revive Keystone XL
Fossil fuel industry spent over $42 million to elect politicians involved; Activists respond with “Human Oil Spill” on Boehner’s front door
Cincinnati, OH- Members of Occupy Cincinnati joined climate activists in storming House Speaker John Boehner’s West Chester, Ohio office this morning with a “human oil spill” in response to last night’s vote to force through Keystone XL. The fossil fuel industry has poured an estimated $42,000,000 into campaign coffers of the 234 House members voting in favor, including $1,100,000 to Rep. Boehner alone, according to OpenSecrets.org. The industry lists the pipeline as a top priority.
Key Facts on Keystone XL | Tar Sands Action
for example: A rupture in the Keystone XL pipeline could cause a BP style oil spill in America’s heartland, over the source of fresh drinking water for 2 million people. NASA’s top climate scientist says that fully developing the tar sands in Canada would mean “essentially game over” for the climate.
Keystone Pipeline - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Keystone XL has faced lawsuits from oil refineries and criticism from environmentalists and some members of the United States Congress. The U.S. Department of State in 2010 extended the deadline for federal agencies to decide if the pipeline is in the national interest, and in November, 2011, President Obama postponed the decision until 2013. On November 30, Senate Republicans introduced legislation aimed at forcing the Obama administration to approve the Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days, unless the president declares the project is not in the national interest. On December 13, 2011, the Republicans attached this provision on a bill that also would avert cuts to Medicare, extend unemployment benefits, and extend the payroll tax cut set to expire at the end of the year. The House passed the bill despite President Barack Obama vowing to reject any legislation linking the pipeline and payroll tax cut.
Tar Sands Oil is Already Everywhere (Map) : TreeHugger
Environmentalists and climate activists may have won a big temporary victory when their efforts persuaded Obama to delay the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline until an in-depth environmental review could be conducted. As we speak, the GOP, their oil industry sponsors, and a small handful of oily Democrats are working to ram through a provision that would overturn Obama's decision, and let the pipeline go forward.
But as progressives, greens, and climate hawks continue to fight the efforts of Big Oil to circumvent democracy, they should keep in mind one thing: Tar sands oil is already everywhere. The tar sands industry is worth an estimated $13 billion or so, and it's already being refined at close to 50 refineries across the U.S...
Oil sands - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Making liquid fuels from oil sands requires energy for steam injection and refining. This process generates two to four times the amount of greenhouse gases per barrel of final product as the "production" of conventional oil. If combustion of the final products is included, the so-called "Well to Wheels" approach, oil sands extraction, upgrade and use emits 10 to 45% more greenhouse gases than conventional crude..."
see also
what next: Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline | Prepare to Fight
what next: Obama takes ownership of Keystone XL decision | Friends of the Earth
what next: 12,000 Tar Sands Protesters Wrap White House in Human Chain
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