From a post on the Climate Progress website (cross-posted on Grist), on the environmental effects of Canadian oil sands production:

“Extraction of Alberta's energy-intensive tar sands has expanded steadily in recent years, with about 232 square miles now exposed by mining operations. Tar-sands production is expected to double over the next decade, which could mean the destruction of 740,000 acres of boreal forest …”

The post includes photo comparisons – purportedly depicting the before and after of oil sands development. It looks/sounds dreadful. One commenter to the site writes, “What a beautiful country it was …”

Actually, Canada still is a very beautiful country, including Alberta’s oil sands region. Lacking in the Climate Progress post is valuable context. There’s this from... more »

I am writing to you from Fort McMurray, Alberta, where back in the 1700's the Aboriginals discovered the region's bitumen deposit and used it to seal their canoes. Today, bituminous sands, a.k.a. oil sands, are a vital energy resource. And that's why I'm here. API put together a two-day location tour of the Alberta oil sands to give reporters and bloggers an up close and personal look at how Canada and the U.S. can continue their energy partnership.

Canadian energy company Suncor Energy, Inc. hosted the first day of the tour. The day started early when we hopped on a coach bus bound for Suncor's mining site. It was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining, but unlike August in Washington, D.C., August in Alberta means 70 degrees and little humidity!

Once on site we were taken to the hear... more »

Let's see now. With a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline drawing closer, a new scare study attacking the pipeline's construction, safety and the oil it will bring from Canada, will appear in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...

This week the University of Nebraska's John Stansbury released a personal analysis asserting that TransCanada, the Keystone XL's builder, is trying to win support for the project by underplaying its potential environmental hazards. Unfortunately, the analysis appears to be rife with misinformation, faulty comparisons and errors.

TransCanada cites a number of problems in the report. Key points involve the pipeline's potential susceptibility to corrosion (internally and externally), the nature of the oil sands oil it would deliver from Alberta to U.S. refiners and TransCanada's monito... more »

A warm shout out to our friends in Canada, where today they celebrate Canada Day, marking the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North American provinces back in 1867. Canadians will spend the day picnicking, attending parades and watching fireworks.

Here in the United States, let's celebrate the fact we have Canada as our No. 1 energy partner - supplying more crude oil than any other country (21 percent of imports to Saudi Arabia's 12 percent). Thanks, Canada, for providing dependable and safe energy that translates into security, U.S. and Canadian jobs and mutual economic growth.

The fact is Canada is key to America's energy present and future. With the right domestic policies and construction of the Keystone XL pipeline - delivering upwards of 833,000 barrels of oi... more »

A couple of questions for the White House's scheduled 2 p.m. live chat on U.S. energy independence:

• While discussion of improved batteries for electric vehicles, liquid fuels from microorganisms and other new technologies is worthwhile, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) says oil and natural gas will provide 55 percent of the energy we consume in 2035 (just slightly less than today's 61 percent share). Isn't securing those resources the more important discussion to be had?

• Whatever the potential of batteries, algae and other innovations, EIA's forecast clearly shows that oil and natural gas are an important part of our energy future. Thus, if 92 percent of America's liquid fuel needs by 2030 can be supplied domestically and through partnership with Canada, where are... more »