Water is needed in huge amounts in tarsands production and in all other construction stages of tarsands infrastructure across the continent. It takes five litres of water to produce one of usable petrol. There is also water used to move gas, build new tar pits or that water which becomes polluted in the outlying areas. Waste tailings ponds are so vast as to be visible from outer space at this early point in production. Water is now being privatized in slow motion, as “access rights” are available in Alberta. As production grows and climate change continues to parch southern Albertan land, more and more water will be needed to help supply fuel for the American market. This water will ultimately be diverted from rivers, lakes, farms and cities throughout Canada; the water levels in the Athabasca River have already dropped several meters. The Deh Cho/Mackenzie River is already threatened, both from development along its valley and it is downstream from tar sands operations. A generation ago, the Athabasca River was clear and drinking was common. Now, those that live with the river consider it poison and off-limits.
Another First Nations community says no to [Gateway] pipeline
QMI Agency
Toronto Sun
First posted: Sunday, July 08, 2012
A B.C.-based First Nations community has added its name to the list of opponents of the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.
Following a ceremony Saturday, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation signed the Save the Fraser Declaration, an indigenous law ban on tar sands pipelines through First Nations traditional territories.
Canada favors tech cooperation with J'lem
By SHARON UDASIN
Jerusalem Post
06/27/2012
‘Israel is a hotbed of innovation, technological activity,’ Canadian resources minister says before meeting with Uzi Landau.
With Canada’s widespread experience in natural resources regulation and development and Israel’s eminence as an innovation hub, the two countries would make ideal partners for collaborative advancement in both traditional and renewable energy fields, a Canadian minister told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.
Invest in Israel's epic oil and gas boom
Mike Kapsch, Investment U
7/5/2012
When I think of Middle Eastern nations with massive oil and gas reserves, Israel isn’t a country that comes to mind… ever, really.
After all, Israel still imports 99% of its oil and 70% of its natural gas.
In fact, for the last 60 years, energy companies there have basically drilled one dry hole after the next.
But that’s all getting ready to change in the coming years thanks to new drilling capabilities.
Will tar sands oil flow through Vermont?
by Craig Idlebrook | June 19, 2012
Vermont Digger
Editor’s note: A companion story to this piece, Environmental groups push for preemptive halt to oil transit, by Alan Panebaker, was published on VTDigger.org today.
More BS than Bitumen Flowing From Alberta After Third Recent Spill
by Damien Gillis l The Canadian.ca
A story in yesterday's Edmonton Journal on the latest pipeline spill in Alberta, this one near Elk Point, was more full of crap than the province's rivers and farms are full of oil these days.
Texas Activists Move Toward Tar Sands Blockade
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
By Candice Bernd, Truthout
Texas climate justice activists are prepared to use nonviolent, direct action to block the Keystone XL pipeline's construction.
Despite Spills, Enbridge Pushes For More Oil Sands Pipelines
6/26/2012
Alberta's three oil sand deposits are known as the Athabasca Oil Sands, the Cold Lake Oil Sands, and the Peace River Oil Sands. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Cenovus plans new technology at oil sands project
Wed May 30, 2012
Reuters
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Cenovus Energy Inc (CVE.TO: Quote) said on Wednesday it won regulatory approval for its third major steam-driven oil sands project, a joint-venture development in which it will test new production technology aimed at getting more tar-like oil out of the ground.
Awed by oil sands, Mulcair calls for more environmental oversight
JOSH WINGROVE
EDMONTON — The Globe and Mail
Published Thursday, May. 31 2012
Precisely one thing surprised Thomas Mulcair on his visit to Alberta: the scale of the oil sands.
During his first visit, including a helicopter flight over several oil sands mines, to a region he has criticized, Mr. Mulcair was overwhelmed by the “awe-inspiring” display.
He stopped short, however, of calling the mines dirty.
Jordan finalises deal for first oil shale plant
by Taylor Luck | Jun 02,2012 |
Jordan Times
AMMAN — Jordan has reached an agreement for the country’s first oil shale-fired power plant in what energy officials are calling a “milestone” in the country’s drive for energy independence.
Authorities announced on Saturday that Jordan has reached an agreement with Estonian-Malaysian consortium Enefit to construct a 460-megawatt (MW) oil shale power plant within the next four years, in what is to be the first electricity station utilising the alternative energy resource in the entire region.
