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    Keystone XL is kaput

    TriMet commits to reducing carbon emissions

    Oregon’s largest public transit agency

Crude Oil Transport Threatens Our Communities, Economy, and Waterways

Stand Up to Oil

The new types of crude oil now coming into our region pose dramatic risks never seen before; highly explosive crude oil from the Bakken shale oil region of North Dakota and Montana and heavy and corrosive crude oil from the Tar Sands region of Alberta. These oils are coming in via heavy mile-long unit trains. They are causing traffic congestion, spilling oil along the route, and exploding upon derailment. Oil is also coming in via barges and tankers, increasing vessel traffic and risk of oils spills. And, the oil is coming in through the crude oil pipeline directly to refineries. The recent increase in oil transport has impacts ranging from rail congestion that limits other products getting to markets, street congestion where the trains run at grade, toxic pollution from diesel exhaust which can cause serious long-term health problems like lung and heart disease; to increased vessel traffic and impacts to marine life. Across North America, we have seen what accidents do to the waterways and communities. From the tragic explosion in Lac Megantic, Quebec to the pipeline spills into the Yellowstone and Kalamazoo Rivers to the barge spill on the Mississippi, the loss of life and devastating impacts to natural resources and the economy is devastating. Together with our partners in the Stand Up to Oil campaign, we are taking action today to protect our communities and our waterways. 

climate cast banner + photo of TriMet all-electric bus
Keystone XL is kaput

by Jonathan Lee on

TriMet doubles down on clean electricity, Keystone XL pipeline is cancelled, and carmakers up the ante on EVs.

ClimateCast - kids jumping
Transition 2021 off to a good start

by Jonathan Lawson on

"Federal climate action:" no longer an oxymoron

four electric vehicles sit parked on a sunny day
Shifting electric cars and buses into high gear

by Jonathan Lee on

Oregon's legislature just established an ambitious statewide timeline for adopting zero-emission cars, buses, and commercial vehicles.

Photo of zero-emission electric trucks.
Shifting electric cars and buses into high gear

by Jonathan Lee on

Oregon's legislature just established an ambitious statewide timeline for adopting zero-emission cars, buses, and commercial vehicles.

How to send Big Oil the opposite of a valentine

by Joëlle Robinson on

One thing we LOVE is the effective grassroots action which has halted the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in the NW, again and again. Show some love for the Stand Up to Oil coalition (your gift will be doubled)!

What did you do, once you knew?

by Joëlle Robinson on

What makes people take an afternoon or a day off work just to say NO to what would be the largest oil-by-rail terminal in North America? What would make them drive hours through the night to attend a public hearing? For one thing, love for their great-great grandchildren.

From the sea to Standing Rock: NW tribes hold the line against fossil fuels

by Jessie Dye on

The Lummi Nation's coal export fight in Washington strongly parallels the Standing Rock Sioux's fight against an oil pipeline in North Dakota.

Oil trains: Murphy's Law on rails

by Caleb Smith on

Each week, some 60 million gallons of highly volatile Bakken crude oil speeds across the Pacific Northwest, in mile-long trains that pass along our waterways and through our cities and towns. What could possibly go wrong? 

Wildfire in the tar sands region—More than a humanitarian crisis

by Derek Hoshiko and Erika Lundahl on

Last year, we biked to Fort McMurray from Seattle. Now, what's left of it is in flames.

Thanks to you, Earth Wins

by Joëlle Robinson on

Earth Day reflections on the love, tenacity and spirit in standing up to Big Coal and Oil

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What did you do, once you knew?

What makes people take an afternoon or a day off work just to say NO to what would be the largest oil-by-rail terminal in North America? What would make them drive hours through the night to attend a public hearing? For one thing, love for their great-great grandchildren.

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