Greens celebrate six years of blocking the Keystone XL pipe dream
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today marks six years that climate activists, ranchers and indigenous people have blocked the construction of TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Since 2008, more than 2,000 activists have gotten arrested; over 50,000 rallied in Washington, DC; and indigenous groups, farmers and ranchers along the pipeline route have fiercely mobilized against TransCanada. As a result, 1,818,530,000 barrels of tar sands oil remain in the ground, and more than one billion metric tons of CO2 are not polluting the atmosphere. The Keystone XL decision now rests with President Obama, but it is clear that he should reject this dirty and senseless pipeline.
Friends of the Earth’s President Erich Pica issued the following statement on today’s milestone:
Over the past six years, the Keystone XL fight has helped to galvanize a grassroots climate movement that is marching in the streets of New York City and beyond. Before Keystone XL, a new fossil fuel infrastructure project was fait accompli.
Americans are fed up with dirty air and water as well as being second-class citizens to corporate profits. Across the United States, ordinary peoples are challenging pipelines, rail expansions, port expansions and liquefied natural gas facilities. Companies that wish to pollute our climate and threaten the health of millions of citizens in the pursuit of fossil fuels now have a fight on their hands, from teachers, native tribes and nations, farmers, nurses, scientists, students; activists all. President Obama, the will of the people is clear: It’s not enough to delay this pipeline — it’s time to deny it.
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Expert Contact: Erich Pica, [email protected]
Communications Contact: EA Dyson, (202) 222-0730, [email protected]