7/29/2019 Letter to Barack Obama 13-02-15

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Douglas A. GrandtP. O. Box 1582

El Dorado, CA 95623

February 15, 2013

President Barack ObamaThe White House1600 Pennsylvania Ave NWWashington, D.C. 20500 

Re: If Keystone is a “done deal”, you are not for real

Dear President Obama,

Congratulations on your choice of John Kerry as your new Secretary of State. I believemany of our fellow Americans are pleased with your choice.

If anybody understands that national security is dependent upon climate stability, Johncertainly does. One specific example is his speech in the Senate August 2, 2012. Johnclearly demonstrated that he understands the urgency of the need to begin reducing CO2as quickly as possible.

Many of us Americans believe John will insist on a complete environmental impact of theKeystone XL pipeline including the carbon intensity of the product it will deliver. (The

diluted bitumen can only be burned and converted to energy and CO2.) The CO2released from the diluted bitumen must be included in the environmental impact report(EIR). If it is not included, the environmental impact assessment will not be valid.

Scientists agree that the combustion of the Canadian tarsands must not be allowed, or itwill “game over for the climate.”

Now, some of my friends question whether John will be objective and will allow the EIR tobe deficient of the full impact of the product it delivers in the comprehinsive assessment.

Some of my friends believe that you agreed with John on his appointment on the

condition that approval of the Keystone XL construction permit is a “done deal.”

The prospect of a “done deal” is totally disheartening to me.

My understanding is that we must begin reducing CO2 emissions in the next coupleyears. Indeed, there are some who believe we should have begun to reduce CO2emissions already. If you listen to John’s speech, it is clear he understands this. Here isthe link to the YouTube video ... http://bit.ly/SenKerryClimate

7/29/2019 Letter to Barack Obama 13-02-15

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If you have decided that approving the continued expansion of the carbon infrastructure isin the best interest of the nation, I believe you will be truly myopic and irresponsible. Onthe basis that a “done deal” is remotely plausible, I appeal to you to make sure all the

facts and impacts be included in the EIR -- 100% inclusive of externalities.

We must create a strategy aimed at the goal of eliminating the use of carbon fuelswithin the next few decades. Intermediate tactics must be aligned with that goal.

Building the Keystone XL and opening the Athabasca Tar Sands go contrary to that goal.

To make my point, I will be carrying banners and signs that implore you to kill theKeystone XL pipeline and any other pipeline or train or truck conveyance for Canadiantarsands.

Here is what we need to do. What you need to do is to make sure these happen:

• Call on leaders and colleagues in the energy sector to join you -- boldly courageous

• Begin scheduling the retirement and dismantling of the old fossil fuel infrastructure

• Shift investments from carbon energy infrastructure to new carbon-free technology

• Compel Congress to enact a revenue-neutral carbon fee with rebates to all citizens 

These steps will provide a systematic transition from the hydrocarbon fuels that aredestroying the atmosphere and climate within which humanity and all other species of plant and animal life have evolved during the holocene. To continue the currentdespoiling of our habitat is suicide, ecocide, genocide -- mass murder,

Create a legacy by stopping the destruction of humanity for the sake of false economy.

President Barack ObamaFebruary 15, 2013Page 2 of 2

cc: Mr. Rex W. Tillerson