Howdy Yall, For those not in the loop- the keystone pipeline is in it's last 90-day window before final approval is given, the administration has opened this window to allow the public to voice it's opinion before a final decision is made.
The environmental impact report which was published by the state department (that claims there will not be any environmental impact) was contracted out to Environmental Resources Management, a company which receives direct funding from TransCanada, the builder of the pipeline. Their own website states that ERM receives "a substantial portion of our annual revenue comes from projects with mining, oil and gas, and other energy companies." In addition to this blatant conflict of interest, there is a large amount of data which shows that there will be significant environmental damage from the pipeline. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has produced numerous studies backing this up, as have a plethora of other groups. I know a great many of you cavers hold strong opinions about the environment, and the damage and eventual climate change exacerbation that will come from the pipeline will effect us all (and the ecosystems we love to explore). I invite you to pledge to protest this, you can follow the link below to receive more information about protests and the organizing groups around austin that will host the protests over the next few months. http://act.credoaction.com/sign/kxl_pledge "I pledge, if necessary, to join others in my community, and engage in acts of dignified, peaceful civil disobedience that could result in my arrest in order to send the message to President Obama and his administration that they must reject the Keystone XL pipeline." Regards, Scott Grimes UT Grotto / Old Ass
