Minister: Canadian Tar Sands Are Green Because Of Canada's "Unmatched Environmental Record"

[hatrack]

Relying on Canadian crude imports is the best choice for the United States – not just because it’s reliable and secure but because of Canada’s unmatched environmental record, Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver said Tuesday.

Adding green to the attributes of Alberta’s oil sands is the latest twist in Ottawa’s concerted effort to push for U.S. approval of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline designed to funnel more than 800,000 barrels a day of Canadian crude to Texas Gulf oil refineries next to deep-water export terminals.

“The oil sands are a greener alternative than some other sources from around the world,” the minister said in news conference from Chicago after delivering a speech touting Keystone merit’s to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. But Mr. Oliver conceded he was “not sure about the label,” referring to the use of the term “green” in connection with the carbon-laden crude from Alberta’s vast oil sands.

Rather it was Canada’s overall performance on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the Harper government’s commitment to future reductions that add a greenish tinge to Canadian energy exports when compared to alternatives.

Ed. - emphasis added.

And again,

EDIT

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-pitches-the-oil-sands-as-green/article9306257/

[DonCoquixote]

1. sorry canucks

But while I admit you do manage your environment well, one cannot call harper or this pipeline green.

[think]

2. if it looks like shit and smells like shit

it's shit....

(Edit: Yes, shit is organic so it is BETTER than tar sands per se. But the metaphor is well known and understood so therefore I use it for rhetorical purposes.)

[joelz]

3. bullshit

My country is number 14 out of 214 country's in co2 pollution Joe Oliver would pimp his own mother if it meant getting this dirty oil to market.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions_per_capita

[hatrack]

4. Plus Fisheries & Oceans Did Such A GREAT Job On The Atlantic Cod!!

[PDJane]

5. Oh, bullpucky. That's not true, hasn't been true, and won't be true,

Especially under Harper.

[CreekDog]

6. Canada has a very green record

in places where it has a green record.