Oilsands tour impresses chair of U.S. energy subcommittee

Two U.S. congressmen ended their oilsands fact-finding mission to Alberta, saying they will urge their colleagues to ignore talk of "dirty oil."

As part of a trip organized by Alberta's trade office in Washington, Democrats Rick Boucher from Virginia and Tim Mahoney from Florida toured the Albian Sands mine near Fort McMurray on Tuesday, and then met with oil industry officials and Industry Minister Jim Prentice in Calgary that night.

The pair came away impressed with the Alberta oilsands as a critical part of their country's energy future.

"Much of our money is being exported today to Saudi Arabia, and to the Middle East, and to places where the diplomatic goals are contrary to our own in many cases," said Boucher, who is also chair of the energy and air quality subcommittee.

"And so to enhance not only our economic security, but also our national security, I think it's important that we purchase ever-increasing volumes of oil from our neighbour and good ally Canada."

The congressman also visited a carbon dioxide capture and storage project in Weyburn, Sask. on Monday.

'Dirty oil' under fire in U.S.

Alberta is the biggest source of imported crude oil to the U.S., exporting 1.35 million barrels daily in 2006.

The oilsands has come under fire in the United States in recent months. An adviser to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama questioned the country's use of "dirty oil."

In June, U.S. mayors passed a resolution calling on cities to ban the purchase of energy from unconventional sources, including the oilsands, for their municipal fleets because they say it produces three times the carbon emissions it takes to produce conventional oil.

But Boucher said Tuesday he doubts the resolution will have any impact because it would be impossible to enforce.

Stelmach defends oilsands at U.S. meeting

At the end of a three-day meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyo. on Tuesday, the western U.S. governors agreed to draft a national diversified energy policy that will include the Alberta oilsands.

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach attended the gathering to defend the province's main economic driver from environmental complaints.

With the soaring price of oil, energy supply, costs and political stability weighed heavily on the minds of the U.S. governors.

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer said the oilsands are an important fuel source for the U.S. and pointed out coal and nuclear power raise just as many environmental challenges as the oilsands.

"This oil replaces oil that we're buying from dictators around the world," Schweitzer said. "We will never have to send troops to the border between Montana and Alberta to protect that energy supply."