Representatives from the Pembina Institute and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), leading Canadian and U.S. environmental organizations respectively, will be stationed in Washington, D.C., and available for comment on "Alberta in DC" and the environmental implications of oilsands development June 27 to July 1. The groups are also holding a press conference June 29 (details below).
Alberta will take center stage this week in Washington, DC, as "Alberta in DC" opens with a series of economic forums concerning investment and trade potential for the US in Alberta. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival highlights Alberta and its oilsands. The Government of Alberta and the oilsands industry are using this opportunity to further promote oilsands development to Americans despite the already feverish pace and its associated environmental implications.
Promoting further acceleration of the pace of development to meet American demands for oil runs contrary to Albertans' interests in balancing development with environmental protection. As designed, the forums and Smithsonian exhibit do not tell the full story and fail to provide a balanced view of oilsands that includes the devastating and long-term environmental consequences.
The Pembina Institute is concerned that Alberta is selling the province while avoiding discussion of the environmental repercussions of the oilsands development, which include:
- being the fastest growing source of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions;
- entrenching Alberta as the industrial air pollution capital of Canada;
- removing millions of cubic meters of water from the Athabasca River that ends up in toxic tailings ponds; and
- stripping the province of hundreds of thousands of hectares of pristine boreal forest, threatening the woodland caribou.
Available for Comment:
June 27 to July 1
Representatives from the Pembina Institute will be stationed in Washington, D.C., and available for comment on "Alberta in DC" and the environmental implications of oilsands development (see contact information below).
Press Conference:
June 29
10-11 am
National Press Club
529 14th Street, N.W. - 13th floor
For more information, contact:
Dr. Marlo Raynolds, Executive Director
The Pembina Institute
Cell: 1-403-607-9427
Dan Woynillowicz, Senior Policy Analyst
The Pembina Institute
Cell: 1-403-888-6272
Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, Director, Canada Projects
Natural Resources Defense Council
Cell: 1-646-287-6225