Activists Defy Frigid Conditions, Raise Awareness

Mountain Lake PBS-TV journalist Thom Hallock (right) videotapes an interview with Mary-Alice Shemo of People For Positive Action.

(C) 2014 Luke T. Bush

PLATTSBURGH CITY, NY - 2/3/14

Local activists – including two who drove down from Montreal – held a vigil Monday evening at the intersection of Broad and Beekman streets to inform others about the controversial fourth phase of the Keystone oil pipeline project.

The event, "Renewables, Not KXL," was organized by Mary-Alice Shemo and the group People For Positive Action.  Mary-Alice explained other vigils were being held across the country on the same evening to get out the message that the new pipeline should not be approved by the President.

Despite the bone-chilling temperature (around 19 degrees F) activists gathered at the intersection, holding signs showing opposition to Keystone XL and also urging the President to veto it.  The group also held candles to draw attention from passing motorists and pedestrians to their cause.

Many environmentalists are greatly concerned about the Keystone Pipeline System, especially with the latest proposed construction.  The pipeline system now runs from Alberta, Canada to various refineries in the US, including one located all the way down in Texas. 

The fourth phase, Keystone XL Pipeline Project, would construct a line to travel from Alberta, Canada to Steele City, Nebraska.  One of the major reasons that environmentalists oppose this route because it would pump crude oil over the Nebraskan Ogallala Aquifer.  A major break in the pipeline could ruin the aquifer's fresh drinking water.

The vigil's purpose was to urge President Obama to veto the Keystone XL Project.  The activists said renewable energy resources should be pursued instead.