The decision to approve phase 1 to upgrade the capacity of the “Alberta Clipper (line 67)” tar sands pipeline from 450,000 barrels per day to 570,000 barrels is now on the agenda. The meeting starts at 9:30am, however the Enbridge item is LAST on the agenda.

We are preparing to pack the PUC during that item, which may be addressed anywhere from 10:30-2:00. There is also the possibility that it will be postponed to another meeting if they run out of time. But nonetheless, this is a great opportunity to stand up against the expansion of tar sands oil development, and prove that Minnesotans can say NO to dirty fuel.

MN350 is planning a press conference at 2:00 in downtown St. Paul, hopefully after a decision has been made. Stay tuned for more details!

More information about Minnesota’s Tar Sands fight:
http://www.mn350.org/alberta-clipper-minnesotas-tar-sands-development-fight/

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Many of us are familiar with the Keystone XL project that has illuminated the existence and impacts of the tar sands development in Alberta, Canada to folks in the U.S. and around the world. What some have known for a while is that we have our own tar sands pipeline running through northern Minnesota call the Alberta Clipper that was put into production in 2010 to carry tar sands crude oil to midwest refineries and beyond.

Enbridge Energy is working on a massive expansion of their pipeline system linking new and existing pipelines and increasing tanker and rail transport to reach the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. This oil will be sold to refiners on the international market. Check out the National Wildlife Federation’s website for more detailed information on Enbridge Energy’s pipeline expansion plans through the midwest.

In Minnesota, Enbridge Energy has submitted a Certificate of Need to the MN Public Utilities Commission that will increase the capacity of Pipeline 67 of the Alberta Clipper carrying tar sands oil across the northern parts of the state. There have been a series of public hearings in northern Minnesota about the plan as well as an ongoing effort by Tribal Members of the Red Lake Reservation to shut down the existing pipelines that run illegally through their land.

Some reasons why the PUC should reject Enbridge’s Request:

Increased capacity means pumping tar sands at higher pressure with increased risk of pipeline rupture and damage to land due to increased heat from greater pump pressure.
The National Transportation Safety Board has found Enbridge Energy L.P. and subsidiaries to be negligent in their safety inspection, detection and repair of their pipelines, with inadequate training of personnel and inadequate education of surrounding communities about detection of leaks and the necessary safety measures and emergency response procedures to ensure the safety of the community.
The Congressional Research Service report for Congress on Canadian Oil Sands: Life-Cycle Assessments of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, by Richard K. Lattanzo, on June 18, 2012, based on the review of published literature, which found that on average, Canadian oil sands crudes to be more greenhouse gas intensive (GHG), in terms of Well-to-Wheel GHG emissions, being on average, 14%-20% higher than for the weighted average of transportation fuels sold or distributed in the United States.
We were told by climate scientists that full development of tar sands oil will mean “Game Over” for the climate.
More information on the local happenings soon.

We couldn't hear who voted, but it passed unanimously. However, this fight is not over, and we all will continue to stand up to resist climate change and protect the health of our communities, land, water, air, and future.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/occupymn