By denying a federal permit to the Keystone XL pipeline, the Obama administration has taken a vital step in the ongoing effort to protect the environment. NC Interfaith Power and Light and other like-minded organizations have vehemently opposed the pipeline, which would run from Canada to Texas carrying dirty tar sands oil to refineries on the Gulf coast. Many members of the faith community, including Dr. Kathy Shea our Co-Director, joined thousands in protests in Washington DC this past summer and fall to highlight our concerns.
National Interfaith Power & Light’s President, The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham applauded the President’s decision:
“…for demonstrating leadership in deciding against the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. His actions today will help to ensure a clean, healthy and safe world for our children. Transporting dirty tar sands oil through the heartland of America will unnecessarily risk catastrophic damage to ecosystems and aquifers that millions of people depend upon for their livelihood. People of faith are called to be good stewards of God’s Creation, and to love our neighbors and take care of the vulnerable among us.
People of faith strongly believe that we need an urgent response to the climate crisis through continued implementation of better clean air safeguards, construction of a renewable energy grid, and more robust energy efficiency and renewable energy standards. The Keystone XL would only slow the pace of this clean energy transition, continue with business worse than usual, and hasten global warming. We can and must model a way forward for the world, create jobs, and care for God’s Creation. “
The battle over tar sands oil is not over by any means, as the oil industry will continue to push for development of another route across the US and also Canada.
We understand that while we celebrate this victory today, we must recognize that the fight must continue in the halls of government to preserve the beauty and integrity of creation.
National IPL’s policy statement on tar sands is a quick introduction to the reasons why people of faith are opposed to exploitation of the Canadian tar sands in the unique and beautiful boreal forests of Alberta, Canada. A more detail analysis can be read in Tar Sands Invasion by the Sierra Club, Corporate Ethics International and others.
If you wish to learn more and engage in NCIPL’s policy work, contact Richard@ncipl.org.
–Richard Fireman, NC IPL Public Policy Advisor
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