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Pelosi and Alberta Premier to Meet Over Alberta Oil Sands
News Articles | news public | September 04, 2010
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Alberta has been fighting a battle to mitigate both advertising and the reputation of the Alberta Oil Sands. Environmentalists and the U.S. Administration, including members of Congress have shown their distaste toward the Alberta Oil Sands. Alberta’s Premier Ed Stelmach is scheduled to meet with Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, next Wednesday in Ottawa. The meeting is at the request of the Speaker.
Nancy Pelosi, the number 3 in succession in the United States is a powerful figure in the debate of the Alberta Oil Sands. Pelosi, who is attending a meeting of G8 legislators next week, wants to know more about the Oil Sands. U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David Jacobson, asked the Alberta Premier if he would meet with the Speaker.
The opportunity to sit down with the Speaker directly and talk about some of these issues in an open and frank way — cut through some of the rhetoric that’s out there and deal directly with fact — it’s an incredible opportunity for us,” said Stelmach spokesman Jerry Bellikka.
Pelosi has invited others to the round table discussion. The invitees include Marlo Reynolds, the Executive Director of the Pembina Institute, an environmental think tank, Non-Government Organizations and Native Leaders. Raynolds hopes to brief Pelosi on the Alberta Oil Sands and related enviromental policies. The Premiers of Quebec and Saskatchewan have also been invited.
With all the negative information being promulgated on the Alberta Oil Sands, there is a lot at stake for Alberta. Alberta is still awaiting Presidential Approval for a pipeline that runs from Hardisty, Alberta to Houston.
Stelmach will probably not get a sympathetic ear from Pelosi and he best have his home work done if he is to convince Pelosi that the Oil Sands are environmentally sound. While talk is always good, this meeting without all the stakeholders is not bound to bring about positive results for Alberta.
Stelmach may be best served to invite Pelosi for a tour of the Oil Sands, along with briefings by major stake holders, that may be able to address environmental concerns.
Tagged with: pelosi-markey, oil sands, stelmach, ottawa, g8, talk
