In a global carbon emissions context, the Keystone XL pipeline is a drop in the bucket. The greenhouse gas emissions generated from developing Canada’s oil sands – 6.8% of total 2010 Canadian GHG emissions – are one piece of a very large global climate puzzle. Tailpipe and power plant emissions are far greater sources of GHG’s. And… Keep reading →
The New York Times’ Coral Davenport tally’s the emissions numbers on Keystone XL which show the oil infrastructure project would likely have a limited impact on climate change. The anti-Keystone movement largely acknowledges this, but says the fact that presidential approval is required makes it a potent climate change symbol that indicates the United States’… Keep reading →
Last week 11 democratic senators signed a letter to President Obama urging a Keystone Pipeline decision be made by May 31. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota spearheaded the letter along with new Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana. The senators expressed the importance of not missing the summer construction season.… Keep reading →
In a hearing about the Keystone XL Pipeline on Capitol Hill last week, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune provided testimony that argued against building the pipeline. Brune’s statements were immediately disputed by pipeline supporters. One of the main issues that has emerged as part of the pipeline debate is whether the oil transport system… Keep reading →
A new Washington Post/ABC News poll on the Keystone XL pipeline adds to the drumbeat of strong public support for building the pipeline. The Post/ABC survey shows a nearly 3 to 1 margin, with 65 percent saying Keystone XL should be approved. Details of the poll show why: 85 percent say the pipeline will create a significant number of… Keep reading →
We’ve increasingly seen celebrities voice their views on energy-related issues and recent Academy Award winner Jared Leto just joined the crowd when he signed an open letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging him to recommend Keystone XL pipeline permit disapproval to President Obama. The dramatic letter compares Kerry’s Keystone decision to his 1971… Keep reading →
Scientists had been attempting to explain why climate change appeared to slow after 1998 and a new study suggests major volcanic eruptions could have played an important role in the trend. “Powerful volcanic eruptions send small sulphur droplets, or aerosols, high into the atmosphere where they act as a mirror to reflect the sun’s rays… Keep reading →
Billionaire hedge fund manager turned climate activist Tom Steyer is marshalling resources to help democrats maintain the Senate during this year’s midterm elections, with climate change as a major electoral issue. He’s putting $100 million toward the cause, but some question whether that’s enough to counter the more than $400 million the Koch brothers’ empire… Keep reading →
The US oil market has been moving on cold weather and the Keystone Pipeline’s southern leg activation, which is alleviating the glut of crude at the Cushing, Oklahoma storage hub. While most of the attention has been on whether President Obama will green light the northern portion of the pipeline, the southern portion was constructed… Keep reading →
Presidential Permit for Keystone XL Not a Foregone Conclusion
By Roman KilisekLast Friday the U.S. Department of State released its Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Keystone XL pipeline project. Instantly, many media outlets were only too eager to suggest that with this report the Keystone decision to be made by President Obama is a foregone conclusion; namely, in favor of the controversial project.… Keep reading →