U.S. Senators tour the oilsands
Posted Sep 16, 2010 9:33 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Premier Ed Stelmach will put on his tour guide hat Friday, taking three American senators on a tour of oilsands operations in Northern Alberta.
Democrat Senator Kay Hagan and Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Saxby Chambliss are taking advantage of an invite the Premier made back in May during a visit to Washington.
A spokesperson with the Premier’s office tells 660News that the senators will see first-hand how oilsands operations work and what is being done to reduce their environmental impact.
John Bennett with Sierra Club Canada tells 660News he’s skeptical about the tour. He doubts it will include a visit to the Athabasca River which now has deformed fish or nearby communities where people are dealing with a number of health issues.
Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice told a Global Business Forum that the Canadian energy industry needs to a better job addressing the environmental issues associated with their business or run the risk of reduced trade from growing green protectionism.
