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
It's open season on natural gas pipeline [Alaska Highway]
It's open season on natural gas pipeline
CONFERENCE: State's intentions don't faze competing ventures.
Petroleum News
Published: May 12th, 2008 11:07 PM
The two North Slope producers looking to build a natural gas pipeline in Alaska plan to move forward even if the state awards a license to a competing project, according to a senior executive.
"Oil thirst means a moderate U.S."
Oil thirst means a moderate U.S.
Don't worry about American election, says ex-premier
Sheila Pratt, Edmonton Journal
Published: Monday, May 19, 2008
Alberta has little to fear from the tough talk in the U.S. on climate change heading into the fall presidential election, says former premier Peter Lougheed.
"Even though it's an election year, and that makes it more difficult, it's going to be challenging for the United States to avoid having a moderate position," Lougheed said in an interview.
Intervention at the United Nations by the Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations
Here is the intervention that was made at the United Nations by the
Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations.
INTERVENTION TO THE SEVENTH SESSION ON THE UNITED NATIONS PERMANENT FORUM ON
INDIGENOUS ISSUES
Read at approximately 12:00 noon, Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Intervention on Agenda Item 5: Human rights: dialogue with the Special
Rapportuer on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of
indigenous peoples and other special rapporteurs.
Thank you Madame chair,
Mackenzie Gas Project faces new setback
Mackenzie faces new setback
Governmental panel postpones release of environmental report till 2009
NORVAL SCOTT // May 16, 2008
CALGARY -- The Mackenzie gas pipeline has been slapped with a new significant regulatory setback, delaying the $16.2-billion project by at least a year and highlighting the increasing roadblocks facing companies seeking to develop major oil and gas projects.
Cameco President Says Sask "Not Quite Ready" For Nuclear Plant
Cameco President Says Sask Not Quite Ready For Nuclear Plant
By Brynn Harris
Updated May 16, 2008 - 6:13am
The President of a prominent Saskatchewan uranium mining company does not think the province is ready for a nuclear power plant.
Recently, a leaked SaskPower report named Lake Diefenbaker as an ideal spot for one.
Cameco President and CEO, Jerry Grandey, says Saskatchewan does not have enough people to support the electrical output of a nuclear power plant.
North Dakota judge denies attempt to halt Keystone oil pipeline
May 15, 2008 8:28:00 PM MST
North Dakota judge denies attempt to halt Keystone oil pipeline
BISMARCK, N.D. _ A judge has refused to stop a crude-oil pipeline that TransCanada Corp. (TSX:TRP) wants to build in eastern North Dakota, saying state regulators considered adequate safety precautions in approving its route.
A project spokesman said construction should begin next week.
Prepare for Alaska Highway gas pipeline hurdles, consultant warns
Prepare for gas pipeline hurdles, consultant warns
SLOW GOING: Similar Canadian project has been tied up for years.
The Associated Press
Published: April 15th, 2008 11:39 PM
Last Modified: April 15th, 2008 11:49 PM
CALGARY, Alberta -- Anyone who thinks an Alaska natural gas pipeline will see fewer hurdles than the long-stagnant Mackenzie Gas Project is sadly mistaken, says the man who used to run the Northwest Territories' natural resources department.
Kearl Permit Denied (for now).
KEARL PERMIT DENIED
Imperial project delayed as it awaits Cabinet action
Claudia Cattaneo, Financial Post, With Files From Carrie Tait
Published: Thursday, May 15, 2008
CALGARY - Imperial Oil Ltd.'s $8-billion Kearl oil-sands project faces a major delay after a federal court judge yesterday turned down its request to have a key permit reinstated.
Saskatchewan and Alberta "Competing" for Nuclear Power Plants...
Provinces wrangle over nuclear plant
Jon Harding, Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, May 07, 2008
CALGARY -- Alberta and Saskatchewan are competing to house Western Canada's first commercial nuclear power plant, Saskatchewan's Natural Resources Minister Bill Boyd confirmed Tuesday.
Boyd said his Saskatchewan Party government has held "early" talks with Bruce Power LP, the private nuclear operator from Western Ontario.
Temporary foreign workers see exponential growth in Alberta
Temporary foreign workers see exponential growth in Alberta
Apr. 30, 2008
Richard Gilbert // staff writer
Alberta is experiencing an explosion in the number of temporary foreign workers (TFW) in the construction industry, but official statistics may underestimate the number of these workers in the country.
“Alberta has seen exponential growth in the use of TFWs for construction,” states a study recently released by the Construction Sector Council (CSC).
The study investigates the impact that the workers have on Canada’s construction industry.
