"The Future of Our Planet is in Doubt,' Sanders Warns as Panel Oks Tar Sands Pipeline

Press Release

Over staunch opposition by Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Senate committee on Wednesday narrowly voted for construction of a controversial oil pipeline from the tar sands region in Alberta, Canada, to refineries along the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 12-10 for the pipeline. Sanders cited overwhelming scientific evidence that global warming is occurring and that it is caused by human activity. He said extracting and refining "the dirtiest oil imaginable" would spew more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and worsen global warming. He said there is a narrow opportunity in the near future to transform our energy systems from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy like solar and wind power. "If we do not do that then the future of our planet is in doubt," he said.

Completing the Keystone XL pipeline, Sanders added, would send a signal that the United States is unwilling to lead the way toward reversing global warming. The Senate bill is not expected to be taken up by the full Senate. The pipeline project, which would cross the international border dividing Canada and the United States, remains under review by the State Department and the White House.

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