Keystone pipeline company hand-picked US government's environmental assessor
Jeremy Hancemongabay.com
October 10, 2011
In fact, the US government asked TransCanada, which is proposing to build the pipeline from Alberta's tar sand to Texas refineries, for names of firms to handle the ESA. At the top of the company's list was Cardno ENTRIX, an environmental and natural resource management consulting firm, which has a long relationship with TransCanada.
 Activists protest tar sands pipeline through US. Photo by: Ben Powless/Tar Sands Action. |
Prior to this, critics say emails released under the Freedom of Information Act show an at times cosy relationship between some in the State Department and a lobbyist pushing for the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Climate activists in the US have targeted the Keystone XL Pipeline as a litmus test for the Obama administration's dedication to fight climate change after years of disappointment. Emissions from the tar sands are significantly greater than from more traditional sources of oil.
Proponents say the $7 billion pipeline will add jobs and bring oil to the US from a friendly neighbor, however critics contend that much of the oil will probably go abroad.
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