Tar Sands protestors marching in Richmond, CA August 3rd, 2013
Tar Sands protestors marching in Richmond, CA August 3rd, 2013

Tar Sands Crude in Davis

Over 135 actions nationwide are planned on September 21 to urge President Obama to stop the Keystone XL Pipeline that will transport some of the world’s dirtiest oil – the Alberta tar sands bitumen notorious for its carbon footprint – from Canada to Gulf Coast refineries. As it is refined and eventually used as fuel, it will greatly increase the amount of both sulfur dioxide pollution and carbon dioxide spewed into the atmosphere. While it may seem that Davis is far from tar sands Ground Zero, in fact, railroad cars of tar sands are currently passing through Davis to two Bay Area refineries, and three more refineries are gearing up to process tar sands in the near future. We can expect two more 50-tanker trains rumbling through Davis each night as early as 2014 on their way to the Valero plant in Benicia.

Bike Rally at 9:00

Yolano Climate Action in conjunction with 350.org is holding a Davis-style event on September 21 to urge the President to concentrate his energy policy on sustainable energy and leave the tar sands in the ground where they belong. Individuals and families are invited to meet on the patio steps facing the green (near the US Bicycling Hall of Fame on the corner of 3rd and B Streets) at 9:00 a.m. for a four-mile ride through the city streets which will feature an effigy of a tar sands train riding atop bicycle trailers. Signs and other forms of creative expression are encouraged.

Pledge Cards at the Yolano Climate Action table

Meanwhile, back at the Farmers Market, shoppers can stop by the Yolano Climate Action table to sign a pledge to fight climate disruption by going carless and meatless one more day a week than at present. Visitors can also sign up for the list serve to receive email action alerts. Or they can ask about timely topics like the railroad tankers of Tar Sands Oil traveling through Davis to bay area refineries or Citizens Climate Lobby and its proposed carbon tax.

Inspirational speeches at 11:00 at the Rotary Stage

At the end of the ride at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the Rotary Stage, Joe Krovoza will open the program.  Kim Stanley Robinson will address 350.org followed by Matt Biers-Ariel, author of Bar Mitzvah and The Beast: One Family’s Cross-Country Ride of Passage by Bike on  biking as a way to avoid fossil fuel consumption; Anya McCann will introduce Davis Meatless Mondays; and Kerry Daane Loux will hint at the range of climate solutions at the Cool Davis Festival. For more information, contact Matt Biers-Ariel: ariel@dcn.org