FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 31, 2019
Contact: Jennifer K. Falcon,
October 31, 2019 (Edinburg, N.D.)- TC Energy (Formerly TransCanada) announced their Keystone 1 pipeline has been shut down after a half-mile leak was found just north of Edinburg, North Dakota. This leak comes the day after water protectors disrupted a hearing about the Keystone XL pipeline in Billings, M.T.
This is not the first time TC Energy’s Keystone 1 pipeline has sprung a major leak. 2018 the same pipeline spilled 407,400 gallons of toxic dirty tar sands oil into farmland in South Dakota.
Indigenous communities and landowners have been outspoken opponents of the dirty tar sands Keystone XL extension project because of the disastrous effects on the environment and yesterday’s leak merely vindicates their concerns.
"The Keystone I pipeline had 12 spills in it’s first year which is more than any other pipeline in U.S. history and in the ultimate twist of irony, probably at the same time I was telling a reporter at the one and only public hearing in Billings on the KXL that it wasn't a matter of if but when there was going to be a spill, it happened again,” said Kandi Mossett-White, Indigenous Environmental Network Native Energy and Climate Campaign Director. “This is the reason we are pushing for a Just Transition away from the fossil fuel industry."
TC Energy doesn’t know how much oil has leaked into the farmlands that surround the pipeline but estimate a strip of over 1500 feet of contained soil shows a significant spill.
“This is the third leak in three years on the Keystone 1 pipeline and the second we know that has reached water. It's been reported that this latest spill has reached wetland area threatening birds and wildlife in the area. This is exactly the kind of spill we are worried about when it comes to Keystone XL being built. It has never been if’ a pipeline breaks but rather when. TC Energy has known for years that their pipe is compromised but has done little to rectify the situation. Coming back from the one and only public hearing by the US State Department regarding KXL where it seemed more like an industry showcase rather than public comment hearing. Tribes were not formally greeted nor was nation to nation consultation implemented. The hearing was designed to hinder negative comments for this zombie pipeline being set hundreds of miles from impacted communities and tribal nations. “Joye Braun, Indigenous Environmental Network Frontline Community Organizer, said. “However, we stand firm in opposing this project as the latest spill is further evidence of just how dangerous pipelines are."
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Established in 1990, The Indigenous Environmental Network is an international environmental justice nonprofit that works with tribal grassroots organizations to build the capacity of Indigenous communities. IEN’s activities include empowering Indigenous communities and tribal governments to develop mechanisms to protect our sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources, the health of both our people and all living things, and to build economically sustainable communities.
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