Land

Feds say Keystone won’t harm environment
Janell Cole N.D. Capitol Bureau
Published Friday, January 18, 2008
BISMARCK — The TransCanada Keystone Pipeline “would result in limited adverse environmental impacts” in North Dakota and other states it will pass through, the U.S. government says.

The State Department has released its final environmental impact statement on the project, though it will still accept public comment until approximately Feb. 11, then issue a final order, according to a cover letter to “colleagues and stakeholders” dated Jan. 11.

The Dirty Dilemma of Canadian Crude
Tar sands oil comes at an environmental cost. But blocking it from the U.S. may make matters worse

By Damian Joseph
January 21, 2008

Greenland Opens to Oil Firms
Associated Press 01.14.08, 4:50 PM ET
HOUSTON -

Rising temperatures are giving Greenland the opportunity to tap into billions of barrels of oil and gas trapped under ice.

EcoJustice: Stelmach Goes to Washington; Controversial Kearl Tar Sands Project Goes to Court

First Nations vow to occupy eastern Ont. site to block uranium mining

Keith Leslie, THE CANADIAN PRESS Published Friday January 11th, 2008

TORONTO - Aboriginals in eastern Ontario warned Friday that they would ignore a court order and illegally occupy the site of a proposed uranium mine north of Kingston later this month unless the province calls a halt to the project.

Detroit: Say no to refinery expansion
January 10, 2008

By ED McARDLE

In the debate over record gas prices, some experts point to dwindling supplies unable to meet soaring demand, while others stress lack of refinery capacity in the United States. Marathon Oil believes it has the answer.

Jan. 11, 2008, 12:08PM
S.D.: Pipeline Passes Regulatory Hurdle
By DIRK LAMMERS AP Business Writer

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A proposed oil pipeline that would deliver Canadian crude to U.S. refineries has passed another regulatory hurdle.

TransCanada Corp. said Friday that it has received a Final Environmental Impact Statement from the U.S. State Department that says its planned Keystone Pipeline project would result in limited adverse environmental impacts.

Suncor production misses mark
Jan 11, 2008 04:30 AM

CALGARY–Suncor Energy Inc. says its oil-sands production during 2007 averaged about 236,000 barrels per day, short of the target 240,000 to 245,000.

In December, output at Suncor's oil-sands operation at Fort McMurray, Alta., averaged 234,000 barrels per day, down from 266,000 in November.

Suncor reports production numbers monthly from its operations. The numbers are preliminary and subject to adjustment.

Production volumes will be confirmed when fourth-quarter financial results are released Jan. 22.

Canada oil sands projects flunk green test-groups

By Jeffrey Jones
CALGARY, Alberta, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Canadian oil sands mining projects, seen as a key source of North American energy supply for decades to come, have been given poor environmental marks in a report released on Thursday, with even the best performer barely garnering a passing grade.
Environmental groups Pembina Institute and World Wildlife Fund surveyed 10 Alberta oil sands ventures, including seven yet to start producing, for attention to land, air emissions, water, climate change and overall environmental management.

What is it that prevents Pembina Institute and WWF from just saying "Stop!" to the tar sands instead of just lobbying to improve their "environmental performance." Maybe it is something to do with the fact that they both receive multi-million dollar funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts, whose parent companies Sun Oil/Sunoco built the first tar sands project in 1967 and who continue to refine large amounts of sythetic tar sands crude oil in Ohio and are planning to extend tar sands supply pipelines as far east as their refineries in Philadelphia.

- Tarpit Pete