Oil Train to Nowhere

Proponents of the proposed Uinta Basin Railway oil train claim it would allow the oil industry to quadruple petroleum extraction in the area. Residents are concerned their property will be seized by eminent domain in order to serve private industry rather than the common good. Many have been notified that surveys are planned.

The oil train would exacerbate climate change, degrade air and water quality, and damage public and private lands. It would permanently endanger the communities along its path. From methane releases at the extraction sites in Utah, to the fuels burned to transport it, to pollution at refining sites (likely in the Gulf of Mexico) and where it is burned, to the ultimate climate impacts, this oil train is a reckless misuse of public money.

Send your comments and sign the petition here: https://www.stopuintabasinrailway.com/

More Information

The Surface Transportation Board, the lead agency working to permit the oil train, has released their scope of work document - December 9, 2019
Scope of Work for Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Colorado River Connected published a thorough background and review of the proposed oil train.
The Uintah Basin Railway: a fossil fuel disaster

Salt Lake Tribune, by Brian Maffley - June 13, 2019
Disputed rail project seeking to ship eastern Utah oil to more lucrative markets clears hurdle with $21 million funding boost
“The CIB is failing the public trust in the administration of this money,” Sarah Stock - Program Director, Living Rivers

Visit Stop the Uinta Basin Railway for more information and actions.

Get Involved

It is NOT clear that the Environmental Impact Statement will consider the full climate impacts of the additional petroleum that would be extracted as a result of the oil train. The full climate impacts of the quadrupled oil exploitation need to be assessed, including:

methane and other pollution at the site of extraction
transportation to the Gulf of Mexico or other locations, and the impacts of refining it
shipping to final destinations in Asia and elsewhere
burning at final destinations

Support

These organizations are working to stop the proposed oil train. Write and ask how you can help their efforts.

Living Rivers & Colorado Riverkeeper - Sarah Stock, Program Director
Utah Tar Sands Resistance - Raphael Cordray, Director

Roger and Melissa Peck want to welcome the proponents of the oil train to their property, so they can see the place that may be seized and destroyed.

Roger and Melissa Peck await news about the arrival of oil train surveyors.

Debris pile at the bankrupt PR Springs tar sands mine. A new oil train could make dirty fuels like tar sands profitable.

Meeting in Vernal, Utah, where $21.4 million of public funds was allocated to a new oil train.

Proponents of the oil train spent hours promoting the project to the Utah Permanent Community Impact Board. Those opposed (standing in back) did not get to speak.

One of thousands of oil derricks in the Uinta Basin.

Dakota Access Pipeline

The Lakota people have long prophesized the coming of a black snake which carries a darkness and a sickness that will stretch across the land. In 2017 this mythical snake manifested in the form of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The largest gathering of indigenous peoples since the 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn came together to stop the black snake at Standing Rock. Thousands of allies from around the world joined to support the Lakota Standing Rock Sioux people in defending their water, land and sovereign rights.

While Catalyst Communication Services was filming at Standing Rock for Earth Wisdom for a World in Crisis, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made an official announcement that the Dakota Access Pipeline would not be allowed. Almost immediately, and in blatant violation of the government ruling, the owner of the Dakota Access Pipeline began drilling under the Missouri River.

Despite massive civil protests and legal challenges, the pipeline was built. It has already leaked at least 11 times on Lakota and other lands. Then, after Energy Transfer Partners tried to DOUBLE the amount of petroleum flowing through their pipeline, a federal judge ruled that the pipeline must be shut down and drained while a full Environmental Impact Statement is developed. But legal wrangling continued and the oil continues to flow.

Before even being published, the Environmental Impact Statement is challenged by Standing Rock, Cheyenne River, and Oglala Nations, due to the contractor working on it having a vested interest in the pipeline continuing to operate.

You can help keep the foxes out of the henhouse by signing this petition from Lakota People's Law Project.

To be determined:

Outcome of the legal controversy and how long the pipeline will continue to operate.
Will cumulative impacts to climate change be included in the environmental review? The Trump Administration removed this requirement for all petroleum infrastructure reviews.
Will the pipeline owner's request to double capacity be permanently denied?

More Information

Watch

Earth Wisdom for a World in Crisis to better understand the worldwide struggle for indigenous rights at the United Nations, juxtaposed with the immediate, on-the-ground struggle at Standing Rock.

Read

Court Halts Dakota Access Pipeline Shutdown As Legal Fight Goes Forward -NPR, July 15, 2020

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Prevails as Federal Judge Strikes Down DAPL Permits -EarthJustice, March 25th, 2020

Energy Transfer Seeks to Double the Capacity of the Dakota Access Pipeline: Sacred Stone Camp Responds - Last Real Indians, October 25th, 2019

Do Something

Catalyst Communication Services is a steadfast ally of the Lakota people. We encourage you to join in the fight to stop the expansion of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Support

Join Lakota People's Law Project in their efforts to ensure an unbiased and accurate Environmental Impact Statement is developed for Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).
Petition

Standing Rock Awakens the World

Flags from hundreds of tribes and first nations were planted at Standing Rock in solidarity.

Water protectors camped at Standing Rock for months despite extreme winter conditions.

Stephen Olsson, director or Earth Wisdom for a World in Crisis, at Standing Rock.

Armed with only a camera.

Tribal Leaders and supporters gather to hear the announcement that Dakota Access Pipeline permit was denied.

Uranium Imports

Utah Poised to Import Radioactive Waste from Estonia

Public Comment Period Closes July 10th

By Jennifer Ekstrom

White Mesa Uranium Mill in southern Utah could soon become the destination for 2200 tons (4,400,000 pounds) of radioactive uranium waste from Estonia. This uranium waste would be shipped across the Atlantic and imported through the Gulf of Mexico, and then trucked to the White Mesa Mill in southern Utah.

Uranium is a heavy metal commonly found in rock, soil and water. When concentrated to produce nuclear energy or weapons, it becomes both chemically toxic and dangerously radioactive. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can cause kidney damage, bone, liver and lung cancer.

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, whose property is just three miles from the Mill, is concerned. Scott Clow, environmental programs director for the Tribe, spoke at a recent virtual hearing held by Utah's Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control. Clow said the Mill was at risk of becoming 'the world’s radioactive waste dump.' According to the Tribe, the Division has repeatedly weakened groundwater pollution limits at the site when the Mill has violated legal limits for uranium and other related pollutants.

A January, 2020 letter from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control urged the agency to take action to protect groundwater near their White Mesa community. The letter claims “progressive and alarming degradation of the quality of the shallow groundwater, with seven new exceedances of groundwater contaminant levels.” They asked that the Division “require that additional effective investigative and corrective actions be taken to identify and address the root causes of the contamination, rather than artificially relaxing groundwater contaminant levels (GWCLs) to excuse noncompliant data and allow further degradation of water quality.” The liner that protects groundwater from radioactive waste stored in Cell 3 is a 40 year old single layer.

The Center for Biological Diversity expressed concerns as well. According to Senior Public Lands Campaigner Taylor McKinnon, ‘the state should be protecting the public from deadly uranium pollution, but here it’s doing policy gymnastics to accommodate pollution. Closing monitoring wells and changing pollution standards might suppress violations, but it does nothing to actually stop pollution.’

Energy Fuels Resources Inc., the Canadian corporation that operates White Mesa Uranium Mill, is asking that groundwater pollution limits again be raised as part of their application to accept, process and store in perpetuity this new stream of uranium waste from Estonia.

The White Mesa Mill regularly processes and stores uranium waste from sites across north America, though this would be the first time it would receive waste from overseas. The nuclear industry in Estonia exceeded their country’s regulatory limits for storing the waste, so needs to find another place to send it.

Under debate is whether this new uranium material import is allowable under a general import license, or whether the proponents would need to gain a special import license for radioactive waste. The decision hinges on whether the material is ultimately considered an ‘ore’ or a ‘waste’ product. If an imported radioactive material is considered ‘waste,’ the importers must obtain a special import license through the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ‘I would argue that the material to be imported is radioactive waste,’ said Sarah Fields of Uranium Watch, an advocacy organization based in Monticello, Utah.

At their May 20th virtual hearing on the topic, the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control was questioned about their classification of the product. Aaron Paul, staff attorney with Grand Canyon Trust, pointed out that it may be misleading to the public to call it ore, since the Estonian company is disposing of it as waste. Also, Energy Fuels would be paid to take it, which would not likely be the case with ore. Agency staff asserted early in the hearing that they could call anything ore that they wanted to, and that it had been discussed many times.

The White Mesa Mill was originally licensed in 1979 for a 15 year lifespan to process ore from the surrounding region. It was not designed to reprocess and permanently store radioactive waste.

DO SOMETHING

The state of Utah is inviting your opinion as they consider approving this precedent setting import. Comments are accepted through close of business on July 10th, 2020, and can be emailed to: dwmrcpublic@utah.gov. Comments sent via email must be identified with subject line: Public Comment on White Mesa RML Renewal.

Women’s Safety – India

While filming for Cause to Wonder in northern India, it quickly became apparent that the life of Indian women is fraught with inequality and the danger of physical and sexual abuse. It’s a cultural norm that is not adequately addressed by government or law enforcement. A new approach is needed.

Lisa Menna, founder of Cause to Wonder, uses magic and comedy to introduce new ideas to her audiences. In India, the idea being introduced was “if you want good luck, don’t beat or kill women.” The hope is to spark widespread societal change by planting these seeds of thought in individuals.

When Lisa told our first translator, a man, about the concept for Cause to Wonder's work, he responded “but we need to hit women, if they disobey or speak too loudly.” Needless to say, his work with us was terminated before it began.

But Cause to Wonder went on to spark kinder, gentler thoughts for at least 24,000 individuals in five cities and 11 villages by producing 36 school programs and 268 street theater events. Massive crowds would gather for the street theater, even entire villages! Men and women alike applauded the efforts, and multitudes expressed their appreciation and the need for this work.

As videographer for Cause to Wonder - India, it was an honor to capture the magic first-hand. Check it out!

More Information

CNN, by Swami Gupta - Dec 3, 2019
A shocking gang-rape and murder of a woman is raising familiar tough questions for India

The Guardian, by Hannah Ellis-Petersen - Dec 2, 2019
Protests escalate in India over gang-rape and murder of woman

Equal rights for women in the United States?

Women in the United States still don’t have equal rights under our constitution. We see ramifications in wage and healthcare discrimination, and inadequate domestic violence laws.

In January 2020, Virginia became the 38th and final state needed to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and propel women’s equality forward in America. The Trump Administration blocked its final adoption and we have yet to renew the momentum.

More Information

CNN, by Veronica Stracqualursi -
May 9, 2020
Trump administration asks court to dismiss lawsuit to add ERA to US Constitution

New York Times, by Maggie Astor - November 6, 2019
The Equal Rights Amendment May Pass Now. It’s Only Been 96 Years.

Do Something

INDIA - These organizations are doing important work to help women in India.
Cause to Wonder
Care India

Lisa Menna performs to promote safety for women and girls in Punjab, India.

Cause to Wonder uses magic and comedy to plant new seeds of thought.

May the light always shine on the peacemakers. Chandigarh, India.

Officials welcome Cause to Wonder performer, Lisa Menna.

Our hosts, with Lisa Menna of Cause to Wonder at back.

This Indian reporter tracked us down for a roadside interview. One of many male supporters of our work to protect women.

Filming women forming cow dung discs to burn in open fire pits as the primary cooking fuel in this village. Punjab, India.

A Stand Against Tar Sands

The film Last Rush for the Wild West exposes how impending tar sands and oil shale strip mining would destroy massive, pristine landscapes in Utah and devastate the Colorado River watershed.

The making of this film played an important role in stimulating and bringing together opposition to the United States' precedent setting tar sands mine. The film also contributed to the ultimate collapse of the company that was attempting to build it.

When a lawyer from Utah's Attorney General office attended a screening, he was pressed to promise the audience there would be opportunity to weigh in on the proposal. The resulting comment period allowed time for a hydrology report to be submitted, and that report resulted in monitoring wells being required. The wells were one additional expense for the corporation, which soon thereafter went into receivership, the Canadian version of bankruptcy.

More information

This stuff needs to stay in the ground.” John Weisheit, the Colorado Riverkeeper, puts it bluntly, but with a studied consideration that is his trademark. He’s referring to plans for tar sands and oil-shale strip mining that would destroy massive, pristine landscapes and put the already imperiled Colorado River watershed at further risk. John is a seasoned outdoorsman but he has a professorial air about him. He also has a way of cutting to the root of things in favor of unfiltered truths. “Tar sands; they all know it’s a bullshit resource,” he adds unapologetically... (more)

Waterkeeper Magazine, by Lauren Wood and Jennifer Ekstrom
Colorado Riverkeeper Takes a Stand Against Tar Sands

Ecowatch, by Stephanie Spear
10 Best Eco-Docs of 2014

EcoWatch, by Anastasia Pantsios
Documentary Exposes Fossil Fuel Industries Assault on Wild West

Facebook- Last Rush for the Wild West

Do Something

Canyon Country Rising Tide
Utah Tar Sands Resistance
Watch the film, Last Rush for the Wild West, or host a screening.

Film crew floating the Green River, which could be impacted by tar sands strip mining. Photo credit: Hekter McElliot

Indigenous leaders from First Nations across Canada gather at Tar Sands Healing Walk

Directing on the Green River

Green River

The buffalo looks mad. Art by students near the Athabascan tar sands strip mines

Danger sign at Utah tar sands test pit. Photo credit: Max Wilbert

Capturing the action...

Redefining Prosperity

Born in the California Gold Rush, Nevada City was once the scene of some of the most destructive environmental practices on earth. By the 1960s, the town was a backwater, its extractive industries dying. Then it was discovered by the "back to the land movement." It was a second gold rush but with a different idea of gold based on nature, community and a sense of place.

A campaign to save the Yuba River from a proposed dam brought conflicting factions of the community together. Not only did they stop the dam from being built, but they began a decades long process to protect the entire watershed. They also increased local food production, developed holistic education systems, attracted world class music and art, and committed to building community.

Redefining Prosperity is recommended as a blueprint for revitalizing places that suffer from economic instability upon the decline of extractive industries. It is the remarkable story of a beautiful California town and the outward-looking, creative people who call it home and forged its new identity.

More Information

The Union, by Chuck Jaffey - January 2, 2018
Redefining Prosperity: Film about Nevada City’s gold rushes to premiere at Wild & Scenic
Includes video interview with co-producer Jennifer Ekstrom, discussing the intent to inspire community stewardship and economic vitality in post-extraction years.

The Union, by Editor Brian Hamilton
Video interview with Jennifer Ekstrom about future community trends and responsible cannabis cultivation.

Do Something

Want to engage your community in conversation about protecting, regenerating or beautifying the environment while fostering a vibrant economy? Looking for a great way to raise money for your cause by hosting a fun and thought provoking community event?

Book a community screening today.
Promotional resources are provided to help ensure your event is well attended and a success in every way!

Purchase a DVD for home use only.
Nevada City residents can purchase discounted home-use DVDs at Harmony Books!

Greg Davis and John de Graaf on set in Nevada City

Mayor Reinette Senum interview

Filming waste ponds left over from the Gold Rush

Organic cannabis farmer Wade Laughter describes his methods

Ayla Nereo appears in the film performing at a community benefit

Greg Davis, Jordan Fisher Smith and John de Graaf on set, Nevada City CA