Alberta's 'dirty oilsands' reputation is fading, Suncor CEO says
Alberta hasn't always had the best reputation on the world stage. A year ago, the European Union nearly put a formal "dirty" label on oil coming from the bitumen-rich oilsands in the northern part of the province.
The characterization still exists today, with U.S. President Barack Obama repeating the "dirty" depiction in his rejection of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline..
"I think it's slightly outdated," Suncor chief executive Steve Williams said Tuesday in an interview with CBC News. "We are earning our way back onto the stage."
Suncor is part of Canada's delegation at the global conference aimed at securing an agreement between all countries to take action on climate change.
Williams believes each province, state and country should have a carbon tax. Alberta has not only announced plans for a carbon levy, but also a limit on oilsands growth and an accelerated phase-out of coal-fired power plants.
"If you look at what is actually happening in Alberta, we're now leading the way," said Williams.
While he calls the Alberta's plan big and bold, Williams confessed he is working to convince other players in the oilpatch to get on board with the new policies.
"What you'll find in the more forward-thinking companies is they have already been pricing carbon in and taking a view on the future," said Williams.
Alberta's 'dirty oilsands' reputation is fading, Suncor CEO says - Calgary - CBC News