  
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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