Concerns Over Western SD Oil Pipeline
Thursday, May 20, 2010
ABERDEEN, S.D. - The U.S. State Department has extended the public comment period to June 16 regarding the environmental impact statement for the Keystone XL oil pipeline that Trans Canada is planning to build across western South Dakota. The pipeline would transport oil from Canadian tar sands to refineries along the Gulf Coast.
Pete Carrels, regional representative for the South Dakota Sierra Club, opposes the project, saying the production of that oil would be akin to strip mining, and would threaten damage to a fragile ecosystem.
"We're talking about stripping one of the most-productive, ecologically important boreal forest areas left on Earth. It's also seen as one of the most-important remaining carbon sinks, from a natural standpoint. Fresh water is being utilized by the billions of gallons to produce the tar sands oil."
The Club also opposes the pipeline because of the additives needed to move it through the pipeline, says Carrels.
"There are some very dangerous chemicals that must be used to move it through these pipelines. So, if you get a leak or spill with a tar sands pipeline, you have not only to deal with the tar sands oil, but you have to deal with the dilutents and the chemicals that are accompanying that oil in the pipeline."
Continuing to build pipelines like Keystone XL will only extend our dependence on fossil fuels, he adds.
"And at some point, we're going to have to draw a line in the sand, and start moving seriously away from dangerous fossil fuels, to cleaner, renewable sources."
Supporters say the pipeline is needed to maintain the U.S. oil supply and decrease dependence from Middle Eastern countries. Trans Canada says they would like to have the pipeline in operation by 2012.
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