We know that tar sands oil is the dirtiest fuel in the world,
and that tar sands projects create toxic lakes filled with
cancer causing heavy metals and neurotoxins.1 We also know that
the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline would cross pristine
land in six states and put almost 30 percent of our country’s
agricultural water at risk of contamination.2 But a new report
reaffirms that the corrosive nature of tar sands oil will
increase risk of spills to a degree not seen in conventional oil
pipelines. The Sierra Club, in partnership with the Natural
Resources Defense Council, the National Wildlife Federation, and
Pipeline Safety Trust, is releasing a report this week that
shows transporting tar sands oil is much more dangerous than
transporting traditional oil.3 Why? Because tar sands oil is
more corrosive than traditional crude oil, and its thicker
nature means increased heat and pressure are needed to force it
through a pipe, making ruptures and spills more likely. We
cannot allow regulators to treat tar