Tar Sands 101
The Tar Sands "Gigaproject" is the largest industrial project in human history and likely also the most destructive. The tar sands mining procedure releases at least three times the CO2 emissions as regular oil production and is slated to become the single largest industrial contributor in North America to Climate Change.
The tar sands are already slated to be the cause of up to the second fastest rate of deforestation on the planet behind the Amazon Rainforest Basin. Currently approved projects will see 3 million barrels of tar sands mock crude produced daily by 2018; for each barrel of oil up to as high as five barrels of water are used.
Human health in many communities has seriously taken a turn for the worse with many causes alleged to be from tar sands production. Tar sands production has led to many serious social issues throughout Alberta, from housing crises to the vast expansion of temporary foreign worker programs that racialize and exploit so-called non-citizens. Infrastructure from pipelines to refineries to super tanker oil traffic on the seas crosses the continent in all directions to allthree major oceans and the Gulf of Mexico.
The mock oil produced primarily is consumed in the United States and helps to subsidize continued wars of aggression against other oil producing nations such as Iraq, Venezuela and Iran.
To understand the tar sands in more depth, continue to our Tar Sands 101 reading list
Discussion Points on a Moratorium
Discussion Points on a Moratorium
No New Approvals-- of what?
July 29, 2008
Environmentalists target tar sands investors
Environmentalists target oil sands investors
NORVAL SCOTT
Globe and Mail Update
September 16, 2008 at 9:48 AM EDT
CALGARY — Environmental group Greenpeace Tuesday launched a new attack
on Alberta's oil sands, claiming that energy companies BP PLC and
Royal Dutch Shell have underestimated the potential risks to investors
of oil sands development.
The report has the backing of several British investment firms,
including Holden and Partners, Innovest and Co-operative Asset
Management.
Co-operative Asset Management, a fund worth almost $6-billion, also
Young workers at risk on the job in Alberta
Young workers at risk on the job in Alberta
Province addresses concerns raised in study of injury rates
Kelly Cryderman, Calgary Herald
Published: Friday, August 22, 2008
The Alberta government is worried about significantly higher injury rates among young workers compared to their older counterparts -- figures that are revealed in a detailed new report.
Report calls for expanded nuclear industry in Alberta and Sask.
Report calls for expanded nuclear industry in Alberta and Sask.
CBC News // 09/11/08
The fight over the possibility of building an Alberta nuclear reactor has erupted again following the release of a report from the Canada West Foundation.
The report suggests a reactor should be built in either Alberta or Saskatchewan in order to fight global warming and cash in on what the author calls a "nuclear revival" around the world.
"Energy economy can't turn on dime"
Energy economy can't turn on dime
2008-09-16
By RICKY LEONG
With Canada firmly in the grasp of an election campaign, all eyes have turned toward the East.
As demonstrated in a Sun Media-Nanos poll published in the Sun yesterday, most Canadians appear confident in their ability to weather an expected economic downturn -- except our cousins in Quebec and Ontario, where the manufacturing sector has taken a beating in recent years.
The parties are posturing to convince Canadians, easterners in particular, who is best suited to steer Canada through tough economic times.
Halt tar sands, chiefs say
Halt oilsands, chiefs say
Brodie Thomas
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 15, 2008
RADILIH KOE'/FORT GOOD HOPE - Some First Nations leaders are calling for a moratorium on tar sands expansion, and they made a promise to continue educating people living in the Mackenzie basin about threats to their water system.
They gathered in Fort Good Hope during the first week in September for a territorial water conference.
Tar sands firms balk at wetlands policy
Oilsands firms balk at wetlands policy
'No net-loss' rule could cost oil producers billions
Kelly Cryderman, Calgary Herald
Published: Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Two major industry associations representing oilsands producers are refusing to support key tenets of a long-awaited plan to protect Alberta's wetlands, citing concerns about rigid rules and restoration costs that could stretch to $1 billion and beyond.
Environmental groups say they have been blindsided by the decision.
Shady employment agents prey on foreign workers
Shady employment agents prey on foreign workers
Seeking work, would-be immigrants are charged placement fees for jobs that don't exist
Joanne Lee-Young, Vancouver Sun // August 31, 2008
Antonio Navarro's story speaks of the uglier side of what is happening as B.C. targets the Philippines as a source of labour to ease its shortages.
Devon's Jackfish Sag-D Project Enters Phase Two
UPDATE 3-Devon starts phase 2 of Alberta oil sands project
Mon Sep 8, 2008 5:23pm EDT
CALGARY, Alberta, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Devon Energy Corp (DVN.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is embarking on the second phase of its Alberta oil sands project, a $1-billion-plus expansion aimed at doubling output in four years, the U.S. oil independent said on Monday.
Devon said it won regulatory approval for phase two of the steam-driven Jackfish project, which will add 35,000 barrels a day of production of tar-like bitumen by 2012. It will start construction immediately.
Oil patch immune from the meltdown: economists
Oil patch immune from the meltdown: economists
Carrie Tait, Financial Post Published: Monday, September 15, 2008
CALGARY - Canada's oil and gas industry, including the massively cash-heavy oil sands projects, should be immune to the financial crisis gripping Wall Street - for now.
Economists say the multi-billion dollar oil sands projects and other exploration and production efforts will still be able to access capital, even as major institutions go under and banks shy away from lending money.
