“We know there are better ways to produce energy that protect our resources and promote our economy. That is why we support the Build Our Energy Barn to be built on the weekends of September 14-15 and September 21-22 along the pipeline route. This barn will be powered by solar and wind energy, a terrific demonstration of the healthy way we can create our energy in contrast to the destructive approach of the tar sands.” –Ken Winston, Nebraska Sierra Club Policy Advocate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2013
NEBRASKA SIERRA CLUB
Contact: Ken Winston
402-212-3737
kwinston@inebraska.com
Nebraska Sierra Club Statement on Climate Impact Studies of KXL
Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Sierra Club today joined other organizations and individuals from across the country in hailing the report from the Sierra Club and Oil Change International titled FAIL, How the Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline Fails the Climate Test. “This research shows conclusively that the Keystone XL pipeline will exacerbate the problem of climate change,” said Ken Winston, Nebraska Sierra Club Policy Advocate. “Since that was the test President Obama established for the Keystone XL pipeline, he has no choice but to deny the permit.”
“We know there are better ways to produce energy that protect our resources and promote our economy. That is why we support the Build Our Energy Barn to be built on the weekends of September 14-15 and September 21-22 along the pipeline route. This barn will be powered by solar and wind energy, a terrific demonstration of the healthy way we can create our energy in contrast to the destructive approach of the tar sands. Tapping into our abundant solar and wind resources helps us declare our independence from foreign companies that run roughshod over the rights and resources of Americans. We invite people to put on work gloves to build a clean energy future so that future generations won’t have to put on haz-mat suits to clean up the inevitable spills of a tar sands pipeline.”
“In addition, Nebraskans who have had to deal with TransCanada up close and personal know that the Keystone XL pipeline fails every other conceivable test. First, there is the truth test. TransCanada has changed its stories like they were suits being used to project an image for political purposes. Although the list of TransCanada’s changed stories fills many pages, their claims that the route couldn’t be moved provides one of most egregious examples. For more than 3 years TransCanada claimed they couldn’t change the route; but when the State Department indicated serious concerns about the route, within 3 days TransCanada offered to change it.”
“It also fails the threat to the Ogallala Aquifer test. Water is our most precious terrestrial resource. The proposed route still goes through miles where the vast Ogallala aquifer is close to the surface and extends for hundreds of feet below it. At a time when water supplies around the world are facing ever- increasing stresses from drought, climate change and growing populations, we need to take every reasonable step to protect the fresh, clean water of the Ogallala Aquifer. President Obama needs to deny the Keystone XL permit to protect our most valuable water resource.”
“Nebraskans also know that the Keystone XL pipeline fails the common sense test. This export pipeline would cut through the middle of our country creating threats to plant and animal life, rivers and aquifers, but Americans would receive no benefits from it. The tar sands industry’s own numbers show that it would increase gas prices in the Midwest, creating economic burdens on millions of families and small businesses.”
“Come join us as we build a better future for our children and the planet.”
Links:
FAIL, How the Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline Fails the Climate Test
https://content.sierraclub.org/beyondoil/sites/content.sierraclub.org.beyondoil/files/documents/kxl-climate-report.pdf
Build Our Energy
https://boldnebraska.org/build-our-energy
