State Department Approves Illegal Scheme for Doubling Tar Sands Flowing through the Great Lakes

[ellenrr]

On August 18, 2014, the State Department posted documents that show Enbridge has hatched a scheme to almost double the flow of tar sands into the Great Lakes region along its Alberta Clipper pipeline ( also known as Line 67), in contradiction to its existing permit. In a privately sent letter from a mid-level State Department official, the State Department acquiesced to Enbridge’s new plan. This letter has yet to be made public by the State Department.

This is a substantial change in how tar sands enters the United States. Federal law requires the State Department to approve any such change only if the following requirements have been met: (1) public notice and involvement, (2) a detailed environmental review, and (3) a national interest determination. This is the process governing review of the Keystone XL pipeline. But here, none of these requirements have been followed.

Increased tar sands in the Great Lakes would present spill risks to the wildlife and people that depend on these treasures, as well as spurring carbon pollution and climate change.

http://blog.nwf.org/2014/08/state-department-approves-illegal-scheme-for-doubling-tar-sands-flowing-through-the-great-lakes/

[Demeter]

1. All Koched up

and cooked up