Feature story - September 24, 2008
Environmental groups on both sides of the border are celebrating today, after a provision of the U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 that curtails the import of energy intensive fuels like the tar sands was left intact.
Suncor processing facility and upgrader in the Alberta tar sands.
Section 526 of the act ensures that U.S. federal government agencies do not exacerbate global warming by entering into contracts to purchase synthetic, alternative, or non-conventional fuels with higher global warming-related emissions than conventional fuels.
The Act has been under scrutiny for nine months as Congress has considered repealing or weakening Section 526 which applies to fuels from high carbon sources such as tar sands oil, liquid coal and oil shale.
"Of course, we will remain vigilant against new attacks on Section 526, but this decision in the Defense Authorization Bill debate should carry great weight," said Liz Barratt-Brown, senior attorney Natural Resources Defense Council. "The bottom line is Americans want their government to invest in new clean energy, not high carbon fuels of the past."
This decision is a huge coup for clean energy advocates, and a blow to the Canadian government, the Department of Defense (DOD) and oil companies, who were staunchly campaigning for a weakening of language that would allow the purchase of dirty fuels.
"This is a big step for clean energy supporters," said Greenpeace campaigner Mike Hudema. "Despite tremendous pressure coming from the Canadian government and a swarm of multinational oil companies, the U.S. has taken another step in saying no to the tar sands and yes to a cleaner, greener future."
Section 526 effectively prevents the largest single fuel purchaser in the U.S., the federal government, from using taxpayer's money to contract for high carbon fuels. Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Michael Wilson wrote U.S. Secretary of Defense in February 2008 saying that Canadian tar sands oil should not be included in how the section was interpreted. Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and Deputy Premier Ron Stevens made lobbying trips to Washington, D.C. to deliver the same message. The $25 million public relations campaign that the Premier announced last spring also including lobbying against section 526.
"Section 526 provides a clear signal there is growing awareness of the destructive environmental impacts of tar sands oil among consumers," said Gillian McEachern of ForestEthics. "We'll be working with companies and governments on both sides of the border to shift away from dirty oil."