European Fuel Quality Directive Update
The European Union has reached a stalemate in a vote to decide if tar sands oil is to be labeled as highly polluting. There were 89 votes for the proposal and 128 votes against. There were 128 abstentions including the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
See http://www.no-tar-sands.org/2012/02/fuel-quality-directive-update-faq-and-actions/.
‘It’s Going to Be War’: First Nations Battle Canadian Tar Sands
The indigenous First Nations of Canada, along with environmentalists and civil society groups, are gearing up for an epic battle as the oil giant Enbridge continues to press for its ‘Northern Gateway’ pipeline that would transport tar sands oil from Alberta to the coast of British Columbia. The fight against the Keystone XL has won at least a temporary victory in the United States, but its Canadian counterpart, despite vocal opposition by environmentalists and community members along its westward route, has been largely championed by the ruling conservative government in Ottawa.
See http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/02/20-4.