350
Solar panels to resist pipelines in the US
Across the states of Montana and the Dakotas in the US, the Keystone XL pipeline (KXL) proposal sparked a powerful struggle over climate impact, environmental justice, and Indigenous sovereignty. The pipeline, set to transport 800,000 barrels of tar sands oil daily from Canada to Gulf Coast refineries, threatened to cut through Indigenous lands, farms, and vital ecosystems which would have been disastrous for local environments and global emissions goals.
President Obama rejected KXL in 2015 due to its serious climate risks, but President Trump later reversed this, issuing a federal permit for TransCanada. In 2017, the Nebraska Public Service Commission still approved the project conditionally, requiring a route change, but this would not have stopped the pipeline from polluting the local land, water and climate.
In response, Indigenous communities, landowners, and allies launched Solar XL, installing solar arrays along Keystone’s proposed path in 2017 and 2018. Led by Bold Nebraska, 350.org, and the Indigenous Environmental Network, these solar power installations stand as powerful symbols of renewable resistance & non-violent action.
Solar panels now stand as sentries, for local communities resisting KXL while providing energy independence. Alongside Solar XL, the “Promise to Protect” Indigenous-led initiative calling for nationwide solidarity, has been ready to mobilize if Keystone XL proceeds. Luckily, the KXL project was canceled for good in 2021 by its developers when the Biden administration rescinded its permit.
The proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline not only threatened the environment but was also set to cut through Indigenous lands. The pipeline faced fierce opposition from local communities.
Indigenous leaders, such as Ivan Looking Horse, tribes, and community groups worked together to campaign against the damaging oil pipeline and found a solution to their energy needs through solar energy arrays along the pipeline route.
Locals set about installing solar panels across the Keystone XL pipeline
They named this new project Solar XL in an act of resistance against devastating big oil infrastructure.
Solar XL all started with this first solar panel installation – which had a tidal wave effect and brought renewable energy to communities in a safe, fair, and equitable way and without any of the devastation that would have been caused by the Keystone XL pipeline.
A whole variety of solar projects have been set up along the oil pipeline route. Sunny Rivers, built Solar Panels at a client’s home.
In Pine Ridge, also in South Dakota the Red Cloud renewable energy center provides education in solar installation and sustainable building practices. The wider project has seen hundreds of solar furnaces installed in the homes of Indigenous families.
The communities along the proposed Keystone XL pipeline came together with passion and determination and stood up to big oil with outstanding renewable energy alternatives that created energy sovereignty, reduced energy bills, and were inclusive to Indigenous peoples and their land.
“We’re proud to be able to provide more clean solar energy to the Nebraska grid while resisting the Keystone XL pipeline that threatens our land, water, and livelihoods”
– Nebraska landowner Byron “Stix” Steskal, who with his wife Diana owns Prairie Rose Farm near Atkinson, NE
More about the project
Credits
With thanks to local landowner, volunteers, Indigenous leaders, Bold Nebraska & the Indigenous Environmental Network.