Oil - Pipelines

July 12th 2018

This story was originally published in The Guardian and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.

Editor: Here is the link to a series of articles, (5 chapters), unmasking Kinder Morgan spies: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2018/07/13/kinder-morgan-privately-eyes-trans-mountain-protesters

And here is Chapter 5:

If Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain expansion project proceeds, the land, resources, and rights of more than 130 Indigenous communities and groups from Alberta’s oilsands to British Columbia’s coast could be affected.

July 9, 2018 - Just imagine if a consortium of First Nations owned a sizable stake in the Trans Mountain pipeline and were determined to push it through because it would put more money in the hands of Indigenous people.

There is a plan afoot to do exactly that and later this month First Nations leaders will meet in Vancouver to advance the idea.

It’s a bold move but it would also give some First Nations the kind of control over resource projects in their own backyards they have long dreamed of.

Of course, not all First Nations would be happy.

Rhode Island becomes first state to sue oil industry, seek damages for climate change

Author: Valerie Richardson, The Washington Times

Experts say it only takes one First Nation to stop the Trans Mountain Expansion Project in court.

Kinder Morgan is the big winner and Canadians are the big losers of a deal to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline and Expansion Project with public funds, one Vancouver-based lawyer says.

Eugene Kung with West Coast Environmental Law says the project won't have legal certainty any time soon, as several First Nations are currently awaiting a ruling from the Federal Court of Appeal on whether they were adequately consulted by the Canadian government.

See video here: https://vimeo.com/277705697 

On June 28, 2018, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted to approve the Line 3 oil pipeline over public opposition. Winona LaDuke spoke to the crowd outside after the PUC vote:

"Minnesota and Enbridge have asked us if this is gonna be like Standing Rock. And they have gotten their Standing Rock...It is time to come to Minnesota to protect the water."

[Arrested on March 17, Burgess was sentenced to a $3000 fine on June 28 after a 5 day trial.]

I wish to first say something about myself, and then propose a sentence.

I have been found guilty of breaching a Court order to not obstruct access to part of the Trans Mountain Pipeline, and for bringing the administration of justice into disrepute by doing this in a public way.