Obama: ‘NO’ to the Keystone Pipeline

April 2013 - President Obama alone has the authority to keep the Keystone XL pipeline from crossing our border. The dictionary defines ‘keystone’ as “the central principle or part of a policy, system, etc., on which all else depends.” Obama should say no to the Keystone XL pipeline and use his rejection as a positive ‘keystone’ for building America’s clean energy future.

The 875-mile proposed pipeline would carry 830,000 barrels a day of crude oil from the tar sands of Alberta, Canada to refineries on the Gulf Coast. From there, most of the fuel would be sent abroad.

The Alberta tar sands is the third-largest proven reserve of crude oil in the world—and one of the dirtiest and most CO2-intensive concentrations of fossil fuel on the planet. Producing tar sands oil generates three times as much greenhouse gas pollution as regular crude oil production. Building the Keystone XL would be the same as putting at least five million new cars on the road!

The corrosive properties of tar sands oil increases the likelihood of pipeline leaks and spills. The Keystone XL’s sister pipeline leaked more than 12 times in its first year of operation!

A recent New York Times Editorial opposing Keystone stated, “It is the long-term consequences that Mr. Obama should focus on. Given its carbon content, tar sands oil should be among the first fossil fuels we decide to leave alone.”

The State Department has set a 45-day citizens’ comment period on the proposed Keystone pipeline. Please submit your comments to the State Department by April 22 and send the same message to the President.

 

Urge the State Department and the President to reject the Keystone pipeline and to use this opportunity to set a new direction for America’s clean energy future. Tell them why this issue is important to you.

Contact:

The State Department:

Email: keystonecomments@state.gov

Mail: U.S. Dapartment of State

Attn: Genevieve Walker, NEPA Coordinator

2201 C Street NW Room 2726

Washington, D.C. 20520

President Obama

Web: www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Tel: 202 456-1111 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)

Fax: 202 456-2461

Mail:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Photo credit: 1972, Lillyhouse, BC, Canada, Lois Barber