Visit to the Oil Sands of Alberta, Canada

The EEF was invited by the Mission of Canada to the EU for a fact finding visit to Alberta. The task of the EEF is to provide a place of information for MEPs and the invitation from Canada was a unique opportunity to get informed on the very polemic issue of oil sands.

During the meetings with Pembina Institute (ENGO) and Government officials, the group got an overview of Alberta in the world, an oil sands outline, presentation on the Alberta Climate Policy and carbon capture and storage possibilities as well as environmental issues such as water and air quality and land reclamation. 

Honourable Iris Evans, Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations hosted a dinner during which a high level discussion took place. 
Visits of the oil sands included in depth explanation on both oil sands mining and in situ extraction with a short walk in a reclaimed Forest near the sites. In addition to that, the group visited Keephills 3, the most advanced coal-fired (495 MW) plant ever built in Canada and was informed on the Pioneer carbon capture and storage post-combustion project. 
The visit also included the Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence.