Alberta’s Energy Minister Says EU Is Playing Trade Games with the Oil Sands
Does it seem to anyone else like opponents of secure, affordable energy resources from Canada are coming out of the woodwork these days? Protests in Canada during the Olympics, anti-sands LCFS legislation advancing in Washington and about 20 other states – even “shareholders” of an energy firm in Norway demanding information on holdings in Alberta. Where is all this enmity coming from?
Ron Liepert has an idea. This week, the energy minister of Alberta suggested the European Union may be riding herd on a campaign to block the responsible production of Canada’s oil sands — “behind the camouflage of environmental correctness,” and for the purpose of “re-establish[ing] trade barriers.”
We don’t know whether the suggestion has merit or not – but here’s what we do know: About 12 seconds after (or was it before?) Mr. Liepert broached the idea with the media, the EU announced its intentions to remove any possible trade barriers related to the oil sands. Quite a coincidence, huh?
For those interested in understanding the specific details of this transatlantic waltz, read the recent letter that Canadian ambassador Ross Hornby sent to the European Commission on the oil sands. Addressed to Karl Falkenberg, head of the European Commission’s environment department, Hornby cites recent research that indicates the carbon footprint of the oil sands is only marginally higher than most crudes consumed in the US. “A separate category for oil sands, therefore, is not science-based and would amount to unjustifiable discrimination against the oil sands,” he wrote. Also stated in the letter:
“In the original consultation document, oilsands-derived fuels (erroneously labelled as ‘tar sand’) are treated as a distinct fuel source, separate from all other crude pathways for petrol and diesel fuels.”
“Such a system would be extremely difficult to implement and monitor, and would in itself create barriers to trade.”
Canadian officials drafted a similar letter to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last year — when the state was outlining its since-implemented low-carbon fuel standard legislation. Unfortunately for us, it went unanswered. What the Governator didn’t see then, and the EU is barely seeing now, is that bullying Canadian crude exports will not only turn significant importers like the US away from safe, secure, and abundant sources of energy, but it will do so without significant benefit to the environment we all share.
