  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 10,
2011
Contacts: Maggie Kao (202)
675-2384
Eddie Scher (415) 815-7027
State Dept.
Announces Reevaluation of Keystone XL Tar Sand
Pipeline
Washington, D.C. - The State Department
announced today that it is reevaluating the environmental review of
the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline project. The reevaluation will
include consideration of rerouting the pipeline to avoid sensitive
ecological areas in Nebraska. An alternative route would require a
new environmental impact statement and would delay a final decision
on the tar sands pipeline for as long as 18 months.
In response, Michael Brune,
Executive Director of the Sierra Club, issued the following
statement:
“The mere fact that the State Department
is slowing down and taking a look at the dirty Keystone XL tar sands
pipeline is hugely encouraging. We commend President Obama for
listening to the American people and putting the brakes on what
would have been a disaster for millions of Americans who want clean
air, clean water and good health for their families.
“The Sierra Club is confident that when
the State Dept. evaluates the true costs of this dirty project –
threats to water supplies and ecologically sensitive areas,
destruction of the boreal forest, dangerous carbon emissions, unsafe
pipelines, and increased cancer and respiratory illnesses in
communities like Port Arthur and Houston, Texas – they will reject
this pipeline.
“Today’s announcement is a death knell
for the Keystone XL tar sand pipeline and lands a considerable blow
to Big Oil, their lobbyists, and their campaign of lies to keep
Americans addicted to oil.
“Our continued addiction to oil will only
destroy our land, air, water and health while keeping Americans
shackled to the gas pump and beholden to Big Oil. That's why it's
imperative that we invest in American innovation and 21st Century
transportation solutions like smarter, more fuel-efficient cars and
trucks, electric vehicles and transit to truly achieve energy
security and a clean energy economy beyond oil.”
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