Regina – Monday, Maude Barlow and other speakers will meet people in Regina to hear local concerns. They will explain why Energy East is all risk and little reward and visit the Harbour Landing neighbourhood where the pipeline will pass through.
The controversial export project would see an up to 40-year-old natural gas pipeline converted to ship 1.1 million barrels per day of crude oil.
“With oil prices plummeting, now more than ever is the time to invest in measures that generate good green jobs, sustainable energy production and responsible consumption,” says Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians and a tour speaker. “We should not lock ourselves into a massive pipeline planned for at least 40 years, spurring tar sands expansion and threatening waterways with a diluted bitumen spill.”
In Saskatchewan the pipeline crosses or passes near major waterways including the South Saskatchewan River, Moose Jaw River and the Swift Current Creek watershed. The route also passes through the ecologically sensitive Great Sand Hills.
Diluted bitumen has proven to sink when spilled in waterways, making it near impossible to fully clean up.
“Over the past six years of fighting the TransCanada Keystone export pipeline, farmers, ranchers and tribes in the U.S. have stood up for our land, water, and property rights,” says Ben Gotschall, rancher and Energy Director for Bold Nebraska, also joining the tour. “I am honoured to be able to share my experiences with our neighbours to the north.”
The tour, supported by the Council of Canadians, the National Farmers Union and local partners, will present key information in a series of public forums. This includes information on the risks to waterways and farms of a diluted bitumen spill, TransCanada’s questionable pipeline safety record, the pipeline’s effect on tar sands expansion, and experiences opposing TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline.
Public Forum:
When: Monday, April 13 – Regina, SK 7:00 p.m.
Where: Italian Club, 2148 Connaught Street, Regina, SK (map)
Speakers
- Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, on extreme energy and protecting water.
- Ben Gotschall, rancher and Energy Director with Bold Nebraska, on landowner resistance to Keystone XL.
- Melissa Daniels, Dene lawyer, ACFN member will join the tour in Regina, Swift Current and Moose Jaw.
Site visit of Harbour Landing where the pipeline crosses:
When: Tuesday, April 14th 12:00 noon
Where: Intersection of James Hill Rd and James Hill Gate (Harbour Landing neighbourhood)
Who: Maude Barlow and panelists will be available for media.
Note: The pipeline runs along the south side of James Hill Road and turns south just to the east of James Hill Gate. Here are photos showing the point where the pipeline bends and goes south. Our Regina chapter took them while delivering leaflets in Harbour Landing this weekend.
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