Crosscut Festival

The Western U.S. holds rich deposits of coal, oil and natural gas — resources that have been eyed for export to rapidly developing economies in Asia. But a remarkable alliance of activists and tribes have drawn what some have called a “thin green line” to stop a series of proposed refinery expansions and export terminals along the West Coast. This opposition has helped create a remarkable shift in the energy future of the Pacific Northwest. For perspective on how this transformation came about, and what needs to happen next, we’ll hear from a tribal chairman, an environmental activist, an energy policy expert and the former head of the U.S. Interior department.