At a time when all the presidential candidates are talking about how America needs global warming solutions, why are the oil companies talking about increasing global warming pollution?
The oil rush to tap the now commercially viable tar sands in Alberta, Canada has resulted in a huge spike in proposed oil refinery expansions from South Dakota to Ohio. The cost: a significant increase in global warming pollution.
According to a recent article by the Chicago Tribune BP wants to increase greenhouse gas emissions by 40% at its refinery in Whiting, Indiana. And a new refinery proposed in Hyperion, South Dakota could be the global warming equivalent of 4 to 6 coal fired power plants!
We must do better.
Following public protests last summer, BP agreed to not increase water pollution into Lake Michigan. In California, ConocoPhillips agreed to no net increases in air pollution, water pollution, and carbon dioxide pollution through offsets in a $600 million expansion project in Contra Costa County.
The Midwest is responsible for 20% of all global warming pollution in the U.S. We need to work to find solutions not increase pollution by offsetting carbon, improving energy efficiency and investing in renewable energy technology.
Sign the petition today.
We should all be working towards global warming solutions, not creating more global warming pollution.
As an industry leader, I urge you to clean up your expansion's carbon and commit to no increases in global warming pollution through offsets.
Other oil companies have taken the same action. ConocoPhillips has agreed to no net increases in water pollution, no net increase in air pollution and no net increases in CO2 pollution in a similar expansion in California.
I would like you to keep your pledge and "Take global warming seriously" by using state-of-the-art pollution control technology and going carbon neutral at all your oil refinery expansions.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
