Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
This afternoon, Montanans will join a public hearing teleconference hosted by the US Army Corps of Engineers to register their opposition to a proposed water permit for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. If built, Keystone XL would carry some of the dirtiest oil on the planet through a number of sensitive wetlands and waterways in Montana, including the Missouri River.
Today’s hearing will take place from 3pm- 7pm MST. To listen or participate, dial 888-251-2949 or 215-861-0694 and use access code 4691237#.
“Keystone XL would pose an unacceptable risk to Montana’s clean water resources,” said Sierra Club Montana Chapter Director Summer Nelson. “We shouldn’t be forced to take that risk for the benefit of a Canadian pipeline company. We urge the Army Corps to listen to Montanans and reject the water crossing permit for this dangerous tar sands pipeline.”
"The Keystone XL pipeline is a direct threat to the drinking and irrigation waters for the Fort Peck reservation and beyond," said Bill Whitehead, a Northern Plains Resource Council leader and member of the Assiniboine and Sioux nation. "The sovereignty and jurisdiction established through the treaty rights of tribal nations has also been ignored and disrespected throughout all of the planning for this dangerous Canadian-owned project. We encourage everyone to stand up in opposition to Keystone XL for the sake of clean water and a healthy climate. Our lives and our culture obligate us to take care of future generations while honoring the humanity of the larger community."
“If Keystone XL is built, I worry about the threat a leak or spill would pose to clean water. Even more than that, I worry about the impact this tar sands project would have on climate. Already, I've watched how the climate has changed over my lifetime, harming our operations. Make no mistake; the climate crisis poses a serious threat to agriculture and our food security. It isn't just the higher temperatures that threaten agriculture; it's changing precipitation patterns, increasingly extreme weather, and a long list of increasing disease, insect, and weed problems that come with climate change,” said Fallon County activist and family farmer Wade Sikorski. “We can't do both, and so which would you rather have, oil or food? Please, stop the Keystone pipeline.”
For more information or interviews with Montanans participating in today’s hearing, contact Gabby Brown at gabby.brown@sierraclub.org or 914-261-4626.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.