TAR SANDS VOTE WAS SOUND

Thank you Bethel!

Thank you for passing a resolution against tar sands transport through your town, our region, and New England. Your leadership is important to many of us in towns nearby.

Bethel’s resolution has helped to trigger a very positive development.

Our Representative Mike Michaud has joined Representative Chellie Pingree in calling for a full federal review if Big Oil wants to pump tar sands through our region.

Tar sands oil is more destructive than regular crude, from extraction to burning. Whether you are a supporter of clean water, indigenous rights, the local economy, or clean energy, tar sands is a terrible idea.

Bethel is the second town along the oil pipeline from Montreal to Portland to pass such a resolution (after Casco), but it will be far from the last.

We agree that the special town meeting process inadvertently cut off discussion. And like many of you, we remain willing to hear other views on this issue and address them on their merits.

Still, we believe your overwhelming vote in favor of the resolution was a sound one, passed by a well-informed group of voters.

Your vote says that Bethel stands up for our rivers, our communities, our natural resource economy, and our kids’ future climate. That’s something to be proud of.

Jane Chandler and Jim Chandler of Woodstock

Rick Churchill, Robin Gorrell, Ken Hotopp, Bruce Pierce of Newry

Kirk Siegel and Martha Siegel of Albany