Gov. Peter Shumlin (VT) Opposes Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline
Great news – after outreach from David Stember and other members of 350 Vermont, Governor Peter Shumlin has written a letter opposing the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. Here’s an excerpt from the letter:
I oppose the proposed Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline project…We need to find sources that will mitigate the impacts of climate change as much aspossible for Vermont and the United States.Our nation must come together to find local, clean, renewable energy to reduce our carbon footprint and spur the economy. Due to the number of major environmental and public health hazards possible in the Keystone XL Pipeline project, the cost of building an oil pipeline across many of our nations most economically and environmentally important aquifers, natural lands and wetlands is too great at this time.
350 Vermont was an important part of part one of the Tar Sands Action, bringing a busload of Vermonters just after their state was hit by the global warming-fueled Hurricane Irene. Their resolve and continued organizing to keep the pressure on the President is an inspiration as we move to phase two of the action.
To sign up for part two of the Tar Sands Action, click here:http://www.tarsandsaction.org/next-steps
To read the entire letter, click below:
State of Vermont OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
September 2, 2011
David Stember 350 Vermont www.350VT.org
Dear David,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline project. I oppose the proposed Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline project, which would deliver up to 900,000 barrels per day of diluted bitumen tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada over 2,000 miles to refineries on the United States Gulf Coast.
As Governor, I understand that any form of power generation will have some environmental impacts. We need to find sources that will mitigate the impacts of climate change as much as possible for Vermont and the United States. The Keystone XL Pipeline project would utilize tar sand oil which generates significantly higher greenhouse gas emissions from a lifecycle perspective than conventional oil. I have concerns regarding the inadequacies of the Department of State’s (DOS) failure to adequately consider the project’s climate change impacts in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), along with the DOS’s inadequate collaboration with the Department of Energy and Department of Transportation to weigh all impacts of the project.
Until the State Department adequately evaluates the pipeline’s lifecycle environmental impact I do not support any implementation of the project or any possibility of expansion. Any proposal to revive the Trailbreaker project and reverse flows through Vermont to facilitate tar sands oil production would be exposed to vigorous, open public process. North America must use its fossil fuel resources responsibly.
Our nation must come together to find local, clean, renewable energy to reduce our carbon footprint and spur the economy. Due to the number of major environmental and public health hazards possible in the Keystone XL Pipeline project, the cost of building an oil pipeline across many of our nations most economically and environmentally important aquifers, natural lands and wetlands is too great at this time.
Sincerely,
Peter Shumlin,
Governor
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