The Keystone XL pipeline is proposed to run through hundreds of Nebraska homes, farms and ranches, crossing the delicate Sandhills and putting the critical Ogallala Aquifer at risk. This summer, Nebraskans will stand up for their future by literally building the clean energy future we need. We will challenge Big Oil to show their true stripes by constructing a wind turbine and solar-powered barn immediately in the path of the proposed pipeline, and using creative tactics to resist pipeline construction before it begins.

If President Obama approves Keystone XL, he’ll then have to tear down clean and locally-produced energy to make way for dirty and foreign tarsands.

The Build Our Energy project — organized by Bold Nebraska, Sierra Club, 350.org and Nebraska Farmers Union — wil require us to raise $65,000 over the next two months and recruit many volunteers who want to help out during several weekends of old-fashioned community barn-raising events this summer to install these renewable wind and solar energy projects, as well as to provide food and drinks for the accompanying BBQs.

Groundbreaking Day: Saturday, Aug. 17, York Nebraska

The land is prepared to pour the barn foundation. Construction of picnic tables, and launch of #No KXL Billboards Art Project, to post with landowners along the Keystone XL route. Check out the PHOTOS and a VIDEO from Groundbreaking Day.

Build Weekend #1: Sept. 14-15

  • Check out PHOTOS from Build Day #1
  • Check out PHOTOS from Build Day #2

Build Weekend #2: Sept. 21-22

  • 8:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m. Volunteers arrive to help construct the barn, as well as design and paint #NoKXL billboards to place with landowners inside the proposed route of Keystone XL
  • 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Break for potluck lunch
  • 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Volunteers continue work on the barn, and finish up arts projects
  • *10:00 a.m., Sept. 21: “Draw the Line” national day of action group photo
  • *3:00 p.m., Sept. 22: Official barn dedication ceremony, featuring energy investor Tom Steyer, founder of NextGen Climate Action