Submitted by the New York Society for Ethical Culture and Passed at the 99th AEU Assembly

Whereas, an AEU Resolution of 2009 states that “Climate Change is a catastrophe driven by human choices that have resulted in unsustainable and inequitable use of carbon-releasing energy sources,” and

Whereas, the environmental damage and global warming damage from the mining of tar sand bitumen oil is significant, and

Whereas, a massive amount of energy is used and many hazardous byproducts are produced in the refining of tar sand oil, and

Whereas, a U.S. Department of State study has found that the impact from the potential use of the refined fuel would, upon burning, yield 17 percent more greenhouse gases than the use of traditional oil sources, and

Whereas, a byproduct of tar sand refining, petroleum coke, which is being exported abroad to use for fuel, has a high carbon footprint and pollutes and causes acid rain due to its high sulfur content, and

Whereas, pipeline travel of tar sand bitumen oil would be a source of potential dangers to the US water supply and environment.

Therefore It Is Resolved the AEU shall take a public position opposing the building of the Keystone XL Pipeline from the tar sands in Alberta, Canada through the United States, as such construction and the attendant activities are seriously hazardous to the environment of Canada, the United States and to the world at large.

And further resolved to urge each Society to publicly oppose the building of this pipeline and that they attempt to support programs by their members and by other organizations in opposition to it.