Looks like Alberta has a sales job to do, however they might need a new pitch

Although the Bush administration quickly claimed that the oil sands production was exempt from the recently passed legislation that forbids the use of fuel made from unconventional sources with high greenhouse gas emissions, pressure is being placed on US industries and organizations to boycott tar sands produced fuels.

Today the United States Conference of Mayors meeting in Miami, have passed a resolution that urges cities to forbid the use of gasoline made with oil from Alberta's oil sands in municipal vehicles.

"Tarsands oil emits up to three times the greenhouse gases in the production process per barrel as convention oil production. Our cities are asking for environmentally sustainable energy and not fuels from dirty sources such as tarsands."

"This resolution shows our willingness to take action to move forward, not backwards, which is where fuels such as tarsands oil will take us."

Apparently as the price of oil increases, more Americans are becoming aware of greenhouse gases and the threat to the environment (sounds like an argument for the Carbon Tax theory). Contrary to the rants of the Bush administration, groups such as the Conference of Mayors are starting to focus on the development of cleaner technologies. 

Over 230 US cities representing 45 million Americans have started their own energy efficiency and environmental protection plans based on the principles of the Kyoto Accord.

Meanwhile the oil sands are becoming the focal point for protest as the worst example of dirty oil. And the arrogant ranting (depends which side of the country you live in) of Premier Ed Stelmach is not helping the situation.

Stelmach recently faced protesters on a recent visit in Washington and his rant today about how Dion's Carbon Plan would be bad for Canada, will probably increase the popularity for the plan and the Liberals in Ontario and Quebec.

I read this week that Harper was rekindling the western memories and resentment of the National Energy Program. Unfortunately for Steve and Ed most of us easterners can remember the "Freeze in the dark" response.

With the importance of the oil sands to Alberta (and that is the only place where it is important) you would think that they might at least try to appear more open to any and all solutions to reduce the expected 120 mega-tonnes of greenhouse gases that they will be spewing out of the tar sands by 2015. 

Especially since the majority of Canadians and Americans will be living down wind of it.

Reference CBC here.