Conservation Initiatives Main Energy Main What is Global Warming? Global Warming Solutions Take Action! Clean Car Campaign Cool Cities Energy Policy Coal and Climate Change Energy Grassroots Factsheets and Reports The Biggest Single Step Environmental news, green living tips, and ways to take action: Subscribe to the Sierra Club Insider!

Tar Sands and President Obama's Trip to Canada On February 19, President Obama will travel to Canada on his first presidential visit abroad, where he will face pressure from Canada's Prime Minister to make it easier to import tar sands oil from Alberta-the dirtiest oil in the world. Tar sands oils endanger American public health with air pollution and water degradation. Instead of importing this expensive, dirty oil, we can invest in clean energy that will create millions of much-needed, sustainable jobs here at home. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said that he wants his country's tar sands oil development on the agenda when he meets with President Obama. Canadian press reports that Harper wants to propose a U.S. - Canada climate pact that would "protect" tar sands global warming from regulation. An international network of environmental groups has launched a campaign urging Obama to stay strong on his clean energy agenda and not give tar sands special treatment. For more information, go to www.Obama2Canada.org. Clean Energy Investment is the Better Choice for the U.S. At this critical moment President Obama has an opportunity to act boldly for a new, clean future. Tar sands oil is the dirtiest form of energy in the world. It has no place in America's plans for a clean energy economy. The good news is that President Obama clearly understands the benefits of a clean energy, low-carbon economy-making it a key element of his economic recovery plan. We must not now take a step backward by choosing dirty tar sands as an energy source, we must continue moving forward to a clean energy economy. The U.S. has a tremendous supply of clean, renewable energy sources - sources that won't contribute to global warming, harm public health, or negatively impact the environment. Clean energy creates jobs, boosts the economy, fights global warming and is safe for the environment. Tar sands oil has no place in President Obama's plans for a clean energy economy. http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/ Tar Sands Oil is the Dirtiest Oil in the World The term "tar sands" refers to a thick oil called bitumen that is mixed in with sand, clay, and water. The extraction of tar sands oil produces three times the amount of greenhouse gases as conventional oil. In the U.S., growing interest in tar sands development, especially in the western states, could increase our greenhouse gas emissions from new tar sands projects from 27 to 126 million tons by 2015. Producing oil from tar sands also requires excessive amounts of energy and fresh water, and destroys huge swaths of boreal forest. http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/factsheets/tarsands.asp Tar Sands in the U.S. Means Destructive Pipelines and Polluting Refineries Tar sands processing, upgrading and transport would have long-term regional impacts on air quality from carbon and sulfur emissions - not to mention the water quality and land management effects. Here in the US, a spider web of pipelines and refineries are accepting or being built to accept tar sands oil in heartland states like the Dakotas, Ohio and Wisconsin. A high-profile battle is underway because of plans by BP to expand its refinery in Whiting, Indiana, to process more tar sands oil. Already one of the biggest polluters of Lake Michigan, the refinery received permission from the state of Indiana to increase its ammonia emissions. For more information, contact: Kristina Johnson, Sierra Club (415) 977-5619 or kristina.johnson@sierraclub.org Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club