Ranchers, farmers, landowners, tribes, and citizens have fought this project for nearly six years now, raising serious safety and environmental concerns about the project and questioning the claim that it would enhance energy security, strengthen the economy or provide long-term benefits to the American people. As President Obama recently pointed out, just a handful of jobs would be created and much of the oil would likely be exported to China and other countries.
The tar sands oil carried by the project poses a substantial threat to our climate and a direct risk to the wildlife and communities along the route and at the mines in Canada, including threatened sandhill cranes, wolves, bears, ducks, geese and more. The project would also hasten the development of tar sands, which not only pollutes our water and climate, but directly threatens critical wildlife habitat in an area the size of Florida.
41 Senators stood up for communities and wildlife and said NO to this dangerous project, and we should applaud them for this (see below for the full list of 41 Senators who stood with us and should be thanked*). These four could especially benefit from hearing from you via a “thank you” tweet:
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). This is the third time Senator Klobuchar has voted with us to oppose Keystone XL. We will need her with us in the ongoing fight against the expansion of the Alberta-Clipper tar sands pipeline that runs through her state. Thank Senator Klobuchar for continuing to stand up against dangerous tar sands projects.
Tweet: Thank you, Senator @amyklobuchar for standing up for wildlife and clean air by saying NO to #KeystoneXL!
Senator Chris Coons (D-DE). Given Delaware’s significant vulnerability to climate impacts like sea level rise, Senator Coons has long championed renewable energy and climate action. On Tuesday, he stood strong and voted against the pipeline enormous pressure to support the bill. We need to thank him for standing strong!
Senator Angus King (I-ME). Senator King knows the threats posed by tar sands, as groups in Maine have waged a fierce battle against the Portland-Montreal tar sands pipeline proposal that would run across his state to allow exports of tar sands out of Casco Bay. We’ll need Senator King to continue to stand with us against these dirty tar sands projects, so send him a thank you!
Tweet: Thank you, @SenAngusKing for standing up for wildlife and clean air by saying NO to #KeystoneXL!
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA). Despite his fellow Virginia Senator, Mark Warner, choosing to vocally support Keystone XL, Senator Kaine stood strong and opposed the project, even going to the floor to speak against it. His bold leadership on this issue should be applauded.
Tweet: Thank you, Senator @timkaine for standing up for wildlife and clean air by saying NO to #KeystoneXL!
Despite the innumerable threats posed by Keystone XL, several Senators who otherwise have strong click and conservation records voted to approve construction of the pipeline. Click below to tweet a message letting them know how you feel.
Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO).
Tweet: Senator Bennet (@SenBennetCO) we’re disappointed you didn’t say no to #KeystoneXL. We hope you’ll stand with wildlife next time.
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE).
Tweet: Senator Carper (@SenatorCarper) we’re disappointed you didn’t say no to #KeystoneXL. We hope next time you’ll stand with wildlife.
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA).
Tweet: Senator @MarkWarner, we’re disappointed you didn’t say no to #KeystoneXL. We hope next time you’ll stand with wildlife.
Senator Robert Casey (D-PA).
Tweet: Senator Casey (@SenBobCasey), we’re disappointed you didn’t say no to #KeystoneXL. We hope next time you’ll stand with wildlife.
*Here’s the full list of 41 Senators who stood with us and voted NO on Keystone XL, who all deserve thanks: Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Corey Booker (D-NJ), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH); Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA); Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD); Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL); Senator Al Franken (D-MN); Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY); Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA); Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM); Senator Maize Hirono (D-HI); Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD); Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA); Senator Angus King (D-I); Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT); Senator Carl Levin (D-MI); Senator Ed Markey (D-MA); Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ); Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR); Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD); Senator Christopher Murphy (D-CT); Senator Patty Murray (D-WA); Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL); Senator Jack Reed (D-RI); Senator Harry Reid (D-NV); Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV); Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT); Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI); Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH); Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY); Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI); Senator Mark Udall (D-CO); Senator Tom Udall (D-NM); Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR).
**Here’s the full list of 13 Democrats that made the disappointing move of voting YES on Keystone XL (all Republicans voted yes): Senator Mark Begich (D-AK); Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO); Senator Robert Casey (D-PA); Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE); Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN); Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC); Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND); Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA); Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV); Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO); Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR); Senator John Tester (D-MT); Senator John Walsh (D-MT).
At the D.C. hearing, testifiers in support of the Clean Power Plan outnumbered those opposed by a margin of EIGHT to ONE, and more than 250 people showed up to our rally at EPA headquarters. Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA, 18th) and Linda Sanchez (D-CA, 38th),and Delaware’s Governor Jack Markell all came down to testify in support of the Plan as well.
In Denver, supportive testimony outnumbered those opposed by FIVE to ONE and more than 300 people attended the supportive rallies. And in Atlanta, supporters outnumbered opponents by TWO to ONE and the rally was bursting at the seams with more than 400 people. The Pittsburgh hearing is still wrapping up today, but on the first day, supportive testimony outnumbered opposing testimony by TEN to ONE! And although the coal industry went all-in in Pittsburgh, turning out many coal miners for a large rally, our side turned still had a great rally of 400 supporters. So, overall, supportive testimony far outnumbered opposing testimony, demonstrating strong support for EPA to finalize and implement a strong Clean Power Plan!
NWF staff and partners also put in huge amounts of effort in Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan and DC. NWF’s testimony elevated the stories of of sportsmen, conservationists, young professionals, business leaders, health professionals, state regulators, professional athletes, faith leaders, and more. These stories were so good, we wanted to share some of the highlights:
“Montana is an outdoor state, and we see firsthand the impacts that global warming is having on our lands, waters, fish and wildlife. This fact – documented by an overwhelming global scientific consensus – is playing out in very real ways in the Treasure State. Precipitation patters are changing. Wildlife are more frequent and more intense. Drought is more common and more severe. Vegetation patterns are changing. Snowpack levels are down. Runoff is happening earlier, disrupting seasonal streamflow patters, Water temperatures in our rivers and streams are rising.
All of these changes are having a very real impact on the ability of Montanans to hunt, fish, and enjoy our state’s outdoors. Changes in vegetation are altering habitat for big game. Hunters report that the animals just aren’t where they used to be. Warmer temperatures in September are making life difficult for bow-hunters, who can’t find animals and can’t pack out game without spoilage. Direr conditions in the Prairie Pothole region are impacting waterfowl hunters and bird watchers. Higher water temperatures and diminished streamflows are stressing fish, forcing river closures during what used to be the peak of the fishing season. These changes are affecting the ability of people to hunt, fish and otherwise enjoy our wildlife resources, ultimately undercutting out state’s multi-billion dollar outdoor economy.”
Rue Map, Founder of Outdoor Afro, Member of NWF California Advisory Council and recipient of NWF’s 2014 National Conservation Achievement Award for Communications, traveled all the way from Oakland, California to present testimony at the Denver hearing:
“Through Outdoor Afro in California and around the country, I am able to witness the wonder and magic of children and families engaging with our wild spaces– here is the face of Emma experiencing snow with her mother Barbara for the first time in California’s Sierras in the winter of 2012. As you know, time in nature like this is a treasured experience, and a spark that can help ignite a passion for conservation for a lifetime.
Unfortunately this same experience was not able to be shared last winter because of record low snowfall that cancelled this same event, and foreshadowed our current severe drought and fire conditions.
You can see a glimpse of why I applaud and feel so relieved by the possibility of the EPA to take on much needed steps to reverse the course we are on.”
David White, Director of NWF’s Gulf of Mexico Restoration Campaign traveled from Florida to present testimony at the Atlanta hearing:
“As devastating as the [BP] oil spill was, climate change and ocean acidification from carbon pollution are still the largest threats facing our coastal fish and wildlife resources, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities. If we fail to dramatically reduce carbon pollution, accelerating climate change and ocean acidification could eventually undermine all of our restoration efforts, waste literally tens of billions in restoration dollars, escalate degradation of important coastal ecosystems, and increase threats to entire coastal communities.”
Ida Sargent, 2014 Winter Olympian in cross-country skiing, sent testimony to the D.C. hearing which was read by NWF staffer, Mollie Simon:
“Competing in the Olympics for Team USA was a dream come true but also part of a long journey and countless hours of hard work. Along the way, I have seen many changes to our winters and thus the sport that I love. Every winter, the first snowfall happens a little later, and the January thaw lasts a little longer. At home in Vermont, ski areas are being forced to expand their snowmaking capacity in order to keep up with the warming climate. Not only does this create a financial burden for one of the state’s largest industries, it also pulls from the joy of being able to actually cross country ski across the pristine landscapes which make up the Green Mountains. This is not just an isolated problem for Vermont or our country. Last year on the international racing circuit, I competed for the US Ski Team in World Cup and Olympic races in eleven countries – and raced on manmade snow in every single one of them. Lack of snow caused race courses to be shortened to small loops of artificial snow, which only perpetuates the problem.
I have witnessed changing winters and the effects of extreme weather fueled by climate change both in local communities of Vermont and across the globe, and I applaud EPA for taking much needed steps to address the course we are on. Thank you for the opportunity to share my experiences and I look forward to seeing the change which the Clean Power Plan will spark. I hope to continue to ski across snowy landscapes in Vermont for many winters to come, and to share my passion for the sport with future generations. “
Take action to add your voice and urge the EPA to strengthen and finalize this important rule.
Natural gas, often referred to as a “bridge fuel,” emits about half as much carbon pollution at the power plant than burning coal. However, natural gas systems also present challenges:
- Globally, natural gas systems leak between 2-4% of the gas produced.
- Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas – 86 times stronger than carbon dioxide over the short-term, which means a small amount of leakage can have a big effect on the climate.
- Analysis indicates that methane pollution leakage at levels above 3% is enough to negate the climate benefits of natural gas over coal. Uncertainty remains about exactly how much US natural gas systems leak methane pollution, but two studies published just last week found that some US natural gas fields may leak at rates well above the global average.
- Recent studies have shown that methane pollution may make natural gas just as bad for the climate as coal, and that EPA may be underestimating the amount of leakage.
Impacts on the Clean Power Plan
This all becomes even more concerning given that the Clean Power Plan, the most substantial action our country has taken to combat climate change, hinges largely on the climate benefits derived from switching to natural gas. Under the Clean Power Plan, the Environmental Protection Agency established the “best system of emission reductions” for limiting carbon pollution from the power sector. This “best system” is comprised of four building blocks:
- Heat rate improvements at existing coal plants;
- Increased use of existing efficient natural gas plants (to 70% of capacity);
- Increased use of low and zero-emitting energy sources;
- Increased end-use efficiency measures to reduce overall demand for energy.
EPA then crafted individual emission targets for each state by calculating the emission reductions achievable by applying each “building block” to the states’ 2012 baseline. When fully implemented, these state emission targets will deliver national emissions reductions of 26% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 30% below 2005 levels by 2030.
As noted above, one of four main ways EPA determined states can reduce their power sector-emissions is by increasing reliance on combined-cycle natural gas plants. Overall, 36% of the emission reductions calculated by EPA as part of the state targets comes from “re-dispatch” to the Natural Gas Combined Cycle Plants (“Building Block 2”).[1]
This means that if the recent studies are correct, and methane pollution from natural gas systems eliminates the climate benefit of natural gas over coal, more than one third of the reductions achieved by the Clean Power Plan would be eliminated.
Again, there is uncertainty around exactly how much natural gas leak methane pollution, and thus uncertainty as to whether or not the entirety of the climate benefit from the increased reliance on natural gas under the Plan would be eliminated – but we simply cannot afford to erode any of the climate benefit delivered by the Plan.
Even assuming full implementation, 26% below 2005 levels by 2020 is not quite as strong a reduction in power-sector emissions as the looming climate crisis warrants. To meet our own international commitments of reducing total national carbon emissions by 17% below 2005 levels, we must ensure the goals of the Clean Power Plan are strengthened, not eroded.
Cheap, Effective Solutions Exist
Luckily, there are cheap, effective solutions to reduce methane pollution that can help maintain the integrity of the climate goals of the Clean Power Plan and simultaneously safeguard wildlife and communities alike. In fact, states across the country have seen the damage wreaked on their lands and communities from unchecked methane pollution from natural gas wells, and have taken action:
- Colorado recently instituted the nation’s most comprehensive plan to clean up methane pollution from their natural gas sector;
- Ohio and Wyoming now both require natural gas drillers to conduct quarterly inspections to detect and fix leaks in their systems.
National Wildlife Federation is working with our affiliate organizations in states like New Mexico, Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia to support a comprehensive solution to reduce methane pollution from the natural gas industry across the country. As a federation dedicated to protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat nation-wide, we are fighting to combat climate change and preserve our country’s cherished outdoor heritage. Methane pollution from the natural gas sector is a threat on both these fronts, and must be addressed.
We applaud the EPA for the substantial action taken to combat climate change with the release of the Clean Power Plan. NWF looks forward to working hard alongside EPA and our affiliate partners in states across the country to ensure this standard stays strong through finalization and is robustly implemented by the states. However, it is critical that EPA take action to plug the methane pollution leaks around the country that, if left unchecked, will undermine the laudable goals of this important plan.
[1] Using the figures in Appendix 5, page 26, of the Goal Computation Technical Support Document, calculating the percentage of total reduction entailed in each state’s goal that was derived from re-dispatch to NGCC (Block 2), and then taking the average.
Luckily, we’re in a strong place – thirty seven Senators issued supportive or positive statements upon release of the carbon pollution standard and many of them have also applauded the clean water rule. That’s because Senators are starting to see the writing on the wall: yet another poll has come out, this week from the Wall Street Journal, showing that 67% of Americans support the carbon pollution standards. And opinion polls consistently show that clean water is a top priority for Americans across the political and socioeconomic spectrum.
Enough is enough – these amendments should be soundly defeated and EPA should be allowed to move forward to protect clean air and water, as is their mission. Call, email or tweet at your Senator today to urge them to vote NO on these dangerous amendments to block the carbon pollution standards and the clean water rule—our clean air and water are at stake.
Senators, Representatives and Governors know that the time has come for action to combat climate change—and they know their constituents support this action too! Just this week, a new ABC poll showed that a huge majority of Americans support regulating carbon pollution from power plants, both Democrats and Republicans alike! Thirty-six Senators, more than 50 Representatives, and 14 Governors issued positive statements about the carbon pollution standards. Here are some highlights:
Senators
“We have an obligation to minimize the impacts of climate change while moving towards energy independence and creating jobs across the Commonwealth. No one understands better than Pennsylvanians what can happen if we don’t take appropriate steps to protect our air and water.”
Click here to thank Sen. Casey>>
“Climate change is threatening Colorado’s special way of life. Coloradans have seen firsthand the harmful effects of climate change, including severe drought, record wildfires and reduced snowpack. Coloradans also have led the nation over the past decade in confronting this challenge and showing how we can reduce carbon emissions, protect our land, water and air, and strengthen our economy. The EPA’s draft rule is a good start, and I will fight to ensure it complements the work we have already done in Colorado and provides states the flexibility they need to make it successful.”
Click here to thank Sen. Udall>>
“Agriculture and outdoor recreation power Montana’s economy,” said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. “From floods to beetle-killed trees, we know the consequences of the changing climate. State-based solutions that reduce the effects of climate change will keep these industries and our economy strong. This responsible proposal gives states flexibility to balance the needs of today with the demands of tomorrow. I will make sure it works for Montanans.”
Click here to thank Sen. Tester>>
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH):
“Families and businesses in New Hampshire have been paying for the cost of inaction in the form of economic and public health consequences, and we are already seeing the impact of climate change in New Hampshire, threatening many of our traditional industries and the health of our children. I will carefully review the proposed EPA rules to ensure they protect New Hampshire, but the time for national action is long overdue.”
Click here to thank Sen. Shaheen>>
“Reducing this carbon pollution is in our national interest, but we have an obligation to do it in a way that makes economic sense. I’ve seen how smart environmental rules helped us clean up the James River in my hometown in ways that improved our economy and quality of life. We don’t have to choose between a clean environment and economic growth. We just have to make sure that we adopt balanced rules that advance environmental goals by spurring economic innovation.”
Click here to thank Sen. Kaine>>
Governors
Gov. Pat Quinn (IL):
“I commend President Obama for confronting this critical issue. Illinois has seen the devastating impacts of severe weather first-hand with 11 natural disasters over the past five years. Moving toward a cleaner, more reliable and resilient energy system will bring significant benefits to our communities and our state.”
Click here to thank Gov. Quinn>>
“Programs such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative have brought numerous benefits to the Granite State, leading to new innovations while generating jobs and saving energy costs. We look forward to continuing to work with our regional partners to ensure that we reduce the harmful emissions that lead to climate change, while also helping to reduce energy costs, create jobs and encourage innovation in the state’s clean-energy economy.”
Click here to thank Gov. Hassan>>
Gov. Jack Markell (DE):
“The impact of climate change is clear, from rising sea levels to more powerful and frequent extreme weather events that put Delaware families and businesses at risk. We have an obligation to address the root cause of these changes and that means limiting carbon pollution from our power plants.”
Click here to thank Gov Markell>>
Representatives
Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI, 14th):
“Climate change poses a real threat to our Great Lakes and agricultural producers in Michigan, but it also presents an economic opportunity for us to continue leading the nation in clean energy solutions. We must take action to address climate change, but we must do so in a way that works for Michigan families, manufacturers, and our emerging clean energy sector.”
Click here to thank Rep. Peters>>
“New Jersey — with a 130 miles of shoreline — is under water. We just cannot stand for that. We have to start making changes now.”
Rep. Tami Duckworth (D-IL, 8th):
On Monday, President Obama announced groundbreaking limits on carbon pollution from electric power plants, a move that will significantly address climate change. I strongly support the president’s action because reducing carbon pollution will result in greater national security, cleaner air and healthier communities while strengthening Illinois’ economy. Just as military necessity led to energy innovation on the battlefield, these new limits on carbon pollution will provide strong incentives for Illinois businesses to accelerate the development of cleaner, cheaper energy technologies.
Click here to thank Rep. Duckworth>>
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN, 4th):
Climate change is a clear and present threat to our natural environment. Over the past several years, we have seen an increase in super storms, an uptick in tornadoes, and rapidly melting ice in the arctic. Severe weather events are becoming more frequent and they are affecting more Americans. These consequences of carbon pollution and the resulting climate change are easy to see and feel, and their impacts are often devastating.
Click here to thank Rep. McCollum>>
These Senators, Representatives and Governors need to hear from you! Call or Tweet at these elected officials today to tell them that we support them in their efforts to stand up for the carbon pollution standards!
Full list of 36 Senators who have released supportive or positive statements this week:
Boxer (CA); Feinstein (CA); Bennet (CO); Mark Udall (CO); Murphy (CT); Carper (DE); Coons (DE); Schatz (HI); Hirono (HI); Harkin (IA); Durbin (IL); Markey (MA); Warren (MA); Cardin (MD); King (ME-I); Collins (ME-R); Franken (MN); Klobuchar (MN); Tester (MT); Walsh (MT); Shaheen (NH); Booker (NJ); Menendez (NJ); Heinrich (NM); Tom Udall (NM); Reid (NV); Wyden (OR); Merkley (OR); Casey (PA); Whitehouse (RI); Kaine (VA); Leahy (VT); Sanders (VT); Murray (WA); Baldwin (WI); Rockefeller (WV)
Full list of 14 Governors who have released supportive or positive statements this week:
Governor Brown (CA); Governor Hickenlooper (CO); Governor Malloy (CT); Governor Markell (DE); Governor Abercrombie (HI); Governor Quinn (IL); Governor O’Malley (MD); Governor Patrick (MA); Governor Bullock (MT); Governor Hassan (NH); Governor Kitzhaber (OR); Governor Chafee (RI); Governor Shumlin (VT); Governor Inslee (WA)
Not-comprehensive list of 50-plus House members who have released supportive or positive statements this week:
Grijalva (AZ-3, D), Huffman (CA-2, D), Matsui (CA-6, D), Miller (CA-11, D), Pelosi (CA-12, D), Barbara Lee (CA-13, D), Eshoo (CA-18, D), Lofgren (CA-19, D), Capps (CA-24, D), Waxman (CA-33, D), Lowenthal (CA-47, D), Scott Peters (CA-52, D), Polis (CO-2, D), Quigley (Il-5, D), Duckworth (IL-8, D), Davis (IL-13, R),McGovern (MA-2, D), Sarbanes (MD-3, D), Delaney (MD-6, D), Van Hollen (MD-8,D), Pingree (ME-1, D), Ellison (MI-5, D), Smith (NJ-4, R), Heck (NV-3, R), Israel (NY-3, D), Clark (NY-9, D), Tonko (NY-20, D), Kuster (NH-2, D), Blumenauer (OR-3, D), Moran (VA-8, D), Connolly (VA-11, D), Welch (VT, D), McDermott (WA-7, D)
These credits should be extended immediately because they provide critical support to our growing renewable energy industry. Just last week, the National Climate Assessment made all-too-clear the devastating impacts that climate change is already wreaking on our country. Wildlife populations are being decimated by the impacts of climate change, species like the iconic moose populations of Northeastern US, which last year saw huge numbers of their calves killed by exploding tic populations; or the endangered loggerhead sea turtles, who may be wiped off the map by the impact of rising summer temperatures on their eggs. If we hope to preserve our natural heritage and wildlife for future generations to cherish and enjoy as we have, we simply cannot afford to wait to combat climate change. Our power sector is our single largest source of carbon pollution – meaning that if we are seriously going to take action to avoid the worst of the worst, we must move swiftly to transition to lower- and zero-carbon sources of energy. Like wind.
The Clean Way Forward
And these credits are critical for the wind industry. Although on-shore wind power has grown substantially in the US in the past decade, creating jobs and lowering pollution along the way, the wind industry is still a fledgling sector in our economy – one that hasn’t enjoyed the century-plus of public subsidies that the oil and gas industry has. (Check out NRDC’s latest fact sheet showing how subsidies to the oil and gas industry cost U.S. taxpayers tens of BILLIONS of dollars every year, here.) And we haven’t even begun to tap the vast potential of offshore wind energy—the National Renewable Energy Laboratory says there’s enough wind power potential off our coasts to provide four times the amount of power we currently generate in the entire country! (Find more info on offshore wind here.)
We need to change this dynamic by shifting support to industries that don’t pollute—and we need to do it NOW. Let’s hope the Senate can muster the will to extend these important credits and ensure our wind industry has the support it needs to provide clean, renewable energy for centuries to come.
Speak up for sea turtles. Take action now to promote clean energy!
The National Wildlife Federation supports passage of the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency legislation (S. 2262) because it would be a logical step in the right direction – promoting measures to improve the efficiency of our buildings, reducing pollution, and saving consumers money. A win-win-win. The bill would even create quite a few jobs, while we’re at it! It would also help protect our wildlife and their habitat by slowing emissions of climate-disrupting pollutants.
The lead authors of the bill have even gone out of their way, over the course of the bill’s multi-year slog through the Senate, to engage supporters from both sides of the aisle, garnering 62 cosponsors on this latest iteration – enough to pass the bill! That is, if a vote were to occur right now, on the legislation itself.
No Clean Vote?
As the National Climate Assessment makes clear today – we simply cannot wait to address the impacts of climate change. They’re here, and they’re getting worse. For the sake of our wildlife, our communities, and our planet, I hope the Senate can see pass the short-term gains of political grandstanding for at least a day – and pass this common-sense legislation without climate-harming riders. Enough is enough.
Speak Up Against Tar Sands
Call your senators and urge them to say NO to Keystone XL!
Thus the pipeline currently has no route through the state and likely will not until early next year. While the State Department apparently told staffers that they will not necessarily postpone a final decision on Keystone XL until that litigation is resolved, a substantial delay seems likely. They also noted they will continue reviewing the more than 2.5 million public comments they received on the Final Environmental Impact Statement, and give consulting agencies additional time beyond the May 7th deadline to comment on the project’s merits. NWF supporters contributed over 50,000 of these comments, calling for a rejection of the pipeline.
Another day without thousands of barrels of toxic tar sands coming out of the ground to transect our country and poison our climate is a good day for wildlife, communities and people. President Obama has taken significant action to combat climate change and has promised that this project will not be approved if it exacerbates the problem.
This additional time should only make the facts more clear. Keystone XL fails the President’s climate test and is not in our national interest. We’re confident when the time comes for a final decision, it’ll be the right one – rejection.
Speak out against the pipeline.
Take action today and tell President Obama and Secretary Kerry to reject Keystone XL.
“You stand on the brink of making a choice that will define your legacy on one of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced – climate change,” the Laureates said in their letter. Carter joins a growing group of world leaders and more than 2 million Americans who have urged President Obama to say no to Keystone XL. They present the decision as a leadership opportunity:
“As you deliberate on the Keystone Xl tar sands pipeline, you are poised to make a decision that will signal either a dangerous commitment the status quo, or bold leadership that will inspire millions counting on you to do the right thing for our shared climate.”
And yesterday, in an article published on CNN.com, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Representative Henry Waxman highlighted the extensive information included in the State Department’s own analysis that demonstrates the massive risks posed by the pipeline, all of which should lead to its rejection. The pair of legislators points out that the State Department’s Final Environmental Review Statement acknowledges that tar sands oil generates 17% more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional petroleum. This means Keystone XL would add the emissions equivalent of adding 5.7 million cars driving on our roads. At a time when scientists warn we are running out of time to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change, and that we must immediately reduce our carbon emissions, we simply cannot afford to expand even higher carbon sources of fuel, like the tar sands.
Photo credit: Garth Lenz
Whitehouse and Waxman also noted that the State Department’s FEIS actually acknowledges that Keystone XL will have a significant impact on the rate that tar sands are developed if oil prices fall below a certain threshold and pipeline capacity remains constrained. It’s worth noting that these two pieces are exactly what will happen if we continue to promote excellent demand-reduction policies and stand up to polluting tar sands infrastructure – both of which we’re doing right now.
In fact, the Energy Information Agency says that low oil prices may occur under certain conditions, and our landowners, indigenous peoples, and environmentalists in both Canada and the U.S. are currently hard at work battling tar sands pipelines in Canada and other parts of the U.S. We hope Secretary Kerry will give weighty consideration to this “scenario,” as we are dedicated to making it a reality.
President Obama, you have all you need to stand up and protect our communities and wildlife from the dangerous Keystone XL pipeline and inspire the world through your leadership – it’s time to just say NO to KXL.
Join world leaders in calling on President Obama to reject Keystone XL before it’s too late.
Ducks
Wolves
Whooping cranes
Caribou
Say No to Keystone XL
Now we’re calling on President Obama and Secretary Kerry to reject Keystone XL. The decision is in their hands—this pipeline will harm wildlife and exacerbate climate change. Tell them to say no to the Keystone XL pipeline!