http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=0cb3a034-4191-49d4-ba47-d902f5d19bbf&k=74979(note: Ed Stelmach is the right-wing premier of Alberta -sd)
Stelmach, Cheney see eye to eye on oil
Premier, U.S. vice-president talk oilsandsPremier Ed Stelmach said he's confident America -- the world's biggest crude consumer -- won't turn off Alberta oilsands tap, following Friday's meeting with U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney.
After facing the wrath of environmentalists decrying the use of Alberta's "dirty oil" during this week's visit to Washington D.C., Stelmach was given a warm reception by Cheney during a half-hour session Friday afternoon.
The pair discussed Alberta's role in providing safe and secure energy (sic) to the United States, as well as the province's environmental plans for addressing climate-change issues.
Though American activists and policy-makers seem increasingly wary of the oilsands' effect on the environment -- including water use and CO2 emissions -- Stelmach emerged from the meeting satisfied Alberta will continue to play a growing role in meeting U.S. energy needs.
more @ link -- long
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In short, the US and Canada have billions of barrels of oil trapped in deposits all along the Rocky Mountain front, from Northern Alberta all the way south throughout much of Montana, Wyoming and Utah. The amount of extractable oil is often said to be much larger than the reserves of Saudi Arabia.
But, there are problems, huge problems, glossed over by carbon-extracting megalomaniacs such as Cheney and Stelmach.
First, extraction of these deposits is far more environmentally destructive. Second, it is a much heavier crude which requires more expensive and extensive refinement. Worst of all, it's use in the future will only contribute even more CO2 emissions. Maybe Alberta really WILL look like Saudi Arabia by then.
:scared: