May, 21 2014, 09:17am EDT
Top Conservation Groups Urge Hillary Clinton to Speak Out Against Keystone XL
Conservation groups representing millions of Americans today sent a letter to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging her to speak out against the Keystone XL pipeline. The controversial project, the polluting equivalent of building 46 new coal-fired power plants, would deepen the climate crisis just as the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Obama administration's National Climate Assessment say it's crucial that greenhouse gas emissions be drastically reduced to avoid catastrophe.
WASHINGTON
Conservation groups representing millions of Americans today sent a letter to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging her to speak out against the Keystone XL pipeline. The controversial project, the polluting equivalent of building 46 new coal-fired power plants, would deepen the climate crisis just as the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Obama administration's National Climate Assessment say it's crucial that greenhouse gas emissions be drastically reduced to avoid catastrophe.
"If we're going to have a livable planet for future generations -- one that's not fraught with floods, droughts, deadly heat waves and other catastrophic effects -- it's vital that we reject the polluting fossil fuels of the past and move to cleaner, safer energy sources," reads today's letter to Clinton. "Secretary Clinton, will you stand with us against Keystone XL?"
Today's letter was signed by leaders of 30 conservation groups from around the country, including the Center for Biological Diversity, 350.org., CREDO Mobile and Friends of the Earth.
Secretary Clinton has long been an environmental advocate but has yet to take a public position on Keystone XL. The controversial pipeline would transport tar sands oil from Canada to Texas, where it would be refined and much of it shipped overseas. If the pipeline is built, climate scientist Dr. James Hansen has said it will be "game over" for avoiding the worst effects of climate change.
"There's no doubt that Keystone XL is a turning point for President Obama and whoever takes his place in 2016," said Bill Snape, senior counsel with the Center for Biological Diversity. "Approve this pipeline and you double-down on the disastrous fossil fuels that are driving the climate toward collapse. Reject Keystone and you open the door to a world of new possibilities with energy sources that are safer, saner, and ensure a livable planet. Secretary Clinton's voice is badly needed to help steer this decision in the right direction."
"Rejecting this pipeline has become a test of President Obama's resolve when it comes to fighting climate change," said May Boeve, executive director of 350.org. "Coming out strong against Keystone XL gives Hillary a chance to show the climate movement that she stands with us, and not the fossil fuel industry."
"As global warming accelerates, the United States needs leaders who will stop making the situation worse right now," said Michael Kieschnick, CEO of CREDO Mobile. "If Hillary Clinton cannot see that the Keystone XL pipeline should be stopped, environmental voters will know that she cannot be counted on in the fight against global warming."
"Keystone XL is a bright line test for commitment to climate change," said Erich Pica, president of Friends of the Earth. "Hillary Clinton needs to show her dedication to fighting climate change by denouncing this dirty and dangerous pipeline."
Here is the full text of the letter sent to Secretary Clinton today and the groups that signed it:
Stand With Us Hillary
May 21, 2014
Madame Secretary,
Millions of Americans from coast to coast are deeply concerned about the climate crisis and the prospect of the Keystone XL pipeline being built.
If this pipeline is approved, it will be the equivalent of building 46 new coal-fired power plants. If we're going to have a livable planet for future generations -- one that's not fraught with floods, droughts, deadly heat waves and other catastrophic effects -- it's vital that we reject the polluting fossil fuels of the past and move to cleaner, safer energy sources.
Secretary Clinton, will you stand with us against Keystone XL?
Given your longstanding advocacy for the environment and the importance of battling the climate crisis, your involvement would lend an important voice to the struggle against this dangerous pipeline and in favor of energy sources that don't threaten future generations of Americans.
We're at a critical moment. Please join us.
Sincerely,
350.org, May Boeve
Center for Biological Diversity, Kieran Suckling
Center for Food Safety, George Kimbrell
Center for International Environmental Law, Wm. Carroll Muffett
Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Mike Tidwell
Climate Action Liaison Committee, Quinton Zonderuan
CREDO, Michael Kieschnick
Desert Protective Council, Terry Weiner
Earthworks, Jennifer Krill
Endangered Species Coalition, Leda Huta
Energy Action Coalition, Kendall Mackey
Environmental Protection Information Center, Gary Graham Hughes
Food and Water Watch, Wenonah Hauter
Friends of the Earth, Erich Pica
Friends of the Owls, Peter Galvin
Friends of Whitehaven Park, William Snape
Greenpeace, Phil Radford
Kids vs. Global Warming/i Matter, Victoria Loorz
Klamath Forest Alliance, Kimberly Baker
Moms Clean Air Force, Dominique Browning
New Energy Economy, Mariel Nanasi
North County Watch, Susan Harvey
Oil Change International, Steve Kretzmann
Olympic Climate Action, Ed Chadd
Safe Climate Campaign, Dan Becker
Sheep Mountain Alliance, Hilary Cooper
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Stephen Smith
Southern Oregon Climate Action Now, Alan Journet
Sustain US, Lesyle Penticoff and Matt Maiorana
Western Nebraska Resources Council, Santana Tamarak
At the Center for Biological Diversity, we believe that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive.
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