(AlbertaIndex, July 14, Monday) --- Alberta officials will affirm the province’s leadership roles in energy supply, and the economy and environment when they meet with their counterparts from other provinces and the US later this week.

      Premier Ed Stelmach will convey the message that the environment and the economy can both thrive in the 21st century at the annual Council of the Federation meeting in Quebec City on July 16 to 18.

At the same time, three MLAs will represent the province’s interests and affirm its energy supply role to more than 300 US state legislators attending the Council of State Governments (CSG) - West meeting in Anchorage, Alaska on July 16 to 20. The meeting will discuss issues such as energy, trade and transportation.

Stelmach said: “Albertans demand environmental responsibility. But Albertans are pragmatic and understand that harmony must be reached between the economy and the environment. Through aggressively pursuing proven technologies such as carbon capture and storage as well as energy efficiency programs, Alberta believes we can continue to grow our economy, while protecting the environment.”

He will also express his concern over other environmental plans being proposed in Canada.

“Canadians are looking for real solutions that will reduce emissions. A cap and trade scheme is a money transfer that does nothing to reduce pollution. In fact, it just allows companies to pay to pollute.”

During the meeting, Alberta and Saskatchewan will present to other premiers the positive impacts of carbon capture and storage (CCS). On the highlight list will be Alberta-based Encana’s project in Weyburn, Saskatchewan that has seen more than 10 million tonnes of CO2 injected and stored through CCS.

Last week, Alberta unveiled a $4 billion investment for two major initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including $2 billion for CCS. This is the single largest global commitment to a technology that can make a substantive cut in greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a technology that the UN, the International Energy Agency and the G8 believe is a safe, viable climate change solution.

Alberta also committed $2 billion to further ‘green’ transit systems across the province.

Stelmach said: “There should be no doubt that Alberta is not only leading the country in energy production, but equally important we are leading the way with reducing our carbon footprint. Alberta is taking meaningful action on climate change without endangering jobs, the economy or our ability to support public services.”

Internal and international trade will also be important topics when the premiers gather.

“I look forward to discussing with the other premiers ways to improve the movement of goods, services and people across our provincial and international borders,” said Stelmach.

At the Council of State Governments (CSG) - West meeting, MLAs Len Webber, Ty Lund and Len Mitzel will aim to strengthen Alberta-US ties. They will reinforce Alberta’s firm commitment to help meet the world’s energy needs in an environmentally responsible way.

The MLAs will highlight Alberta’s unprecedented $4-billion investment in initiatives to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Our neighbours in the US need to know that Alberta is taking real action to reduce its carbon footprint,” said Len Webber, MLA for Calgary-Foothills and Parliamentary Assistant of Energy. “We have a very strong relationship with the US and I look forward to sharing our good news.”

Alberta will participate in the meeting’s newly-created North America Summit. This forum focuses on building stronger Canada, USand Mexico relations, and enhancing North America’s competitive edge in the global market.

As part of the summit, Webber will participate on a panel regarding energy trends, initiatives and competitiveness. Lund will moderate a transportation session in the summit and participate in other trade and transportation sessions throughout the meeting. Mitzel will participate in sessions regarding border and trade corridor issues.

The CSG-West meeting is held annually to review best practices and share information about trends and ideas of concern to the western US. The forum’s members include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Alberta has been an associate member since 2000 and has been active over the years to ensure the province’s interests and concerns are addressed.

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