Canada

The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

Read all about it: Redford touts Keystone, Alberta's record, in USA Today

By: The Canadian Press

Posted: 02/26/2013 10:30 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 02/26/2013 11:16 AM

Alberta Premier Alison Redford scrums with the media following her meeting with B.C. Premier Christy Clark to discuss the Northern Gateway pipeline in Calgary on Monday, October 1, 2012. Redford is taking her message on the Keystone XL pipeline across the United States in the daily newspaper USA Today.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Alison Redford took her message on the Keystone XL pipeline across the United States Tuesday in the daily newspaper USA Today.

In a guest column published in the newspaper, Redford touts the benefits of the pipeline, which — if approved — would take heavy oil from Alberta to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

But Redford also emphasizes Alberta's record on the environment and its commitment to reducing climate change.

"Through our actions, we must also be a global leader in environmental management. Projects like Keystone XL only reinforce our commitment to responsible oilsands development. We can have it both ways. And we will," writes Redford.

The premier notes that Alberta has a levy on heavy carbon emitters, is redirecting that money into clean energy projects and is taking steps to mitigate the environmental impact from oilsands projects.

"Total conserved land within the oilsands region in Alberta is larger than the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island and the District of Columbia combined," writes Redford.

The column is the latest attempt by Redford's government to refute protesters, who have gathered by the thousands in Washington to demand the Keystone line not be approved. They label the carbon-intensive oilsands "dirty oil."

U.S. President Barack Obama has made clear he wants all nations to take a more active approach on climate change.

Redford says they are in lockstep.

"We stand ready to demonstrate our strong track record on responsible oilsands development. And we are prepared to work with our federal government and our American friends to push the bar higher in addressing climate change," writes Redford.

"Through our policies and our actions past, present and future, Americans should feel confident that Alberta is the safest, most secure and responsible energy supplier to the U.S.

"The same cannot be said for the other foreign countries and regimes that currently feed U.S. energy demand."

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to make the final decision on the $7-billion pipeline later this spring following a report on the environmental impact of the project.

Obama declined to sign off on Keystone last year after critics warned the line was passing too close to a critical, ecologically sensitive aquifer in Nebraska.

Nebraska's governor has since given the OK to a revised route that avoids the aquifer.

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Canada

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.