As Texas Pipeline Blockade Continues, Activists Challenge First U.S. Tar Sands Mine in Utah

Amy Goodman
Democracy Now! / Video Interview
Published: Tuesday 9 October 2012
“The mine itself would be water-intensive in what is already the second driest state in the country, and activists say chemicals used in the mine could pollute the water that is left.”

As a direct action blockade of the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline continues in Texas, we look at what could be the first actual tar sands and oil shale strip mining operation in the United States. Not far from Moab, Utah, the state has already leased land to a Canadian energy development company that recently changed its name to U.S. Oil Sands. The company plans to mine nearly 6,000 acres in an area of unspoiled wilderness that is also the watershed of the Colorado River, which provides water to more than 30 million people. The mine itself would be water-intensive in what is already the second driest state in the country, and activists say chemicals used in the mine could pollute the water that is left. We’re joined by two activists working to block the project: John Weisheit, longtime Conservation Director of Living Rivers/Colorado Riverkeeper; and Ashley Anderson, founder and director of "Before It Starts," which is leading the fight to stop tar sands drilling in Utah.



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ABOUT Amy Goodman

Amy Goodman is the host of "Democracy Now!," a daily international TV/radio news hour airing on more than 900 stations in North America. She is the author of "Breaking the Sound Barrier," recently released in paperback and now a New York Times best-seller.

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3 comments on "As Texas Pipeline Blockade Continues, Activists Challenge First U.S. Tar Sands Mine in Utah"

dwdallam

October 09, 2012 3:51pm

Naw, no one in that area will fight back. They're of the mid-set that if a few thousand people don't have clean water or die from polluted aquifers, that's ok as long as business is thriving. Didn't you know? We have only two choices: (1) conserve our environment or (2) have no jobs. Of course (1) is for socialist liberals and (2) is for tough, hard-charging, boot-strap capitalist REAL Americans.

Except when the tough, real American's kids start to die off or become chronically ill.

Jeffrey Hill

October 09, 2012 2:33pm

Tar sands -- better drinking than water.

mlane78212

October 09, 2012 12:36pm

Just when I think it can't get any crazier...The Colorado River is already stressed beyond endurance, so let's make it even tougher and strip mine its watershed. Duh! If I were one of the 30,000,000 people counting on that water, Id start thinking of fighting back.