Pelosi to discuss oil sands on Canadian visit

The U.S. speaker of the house will hear from industry representatives and environmental activists.

The U.S. is the largest recipient of energy exports from Alberta’s oil sands development, but recent events have jeopardized that relationship. The BP oil spill, the rupture in Michigan of a pipeline owned by Canada’s Enbridge corporation, and growing environmentalism have made some Americans wary of the oil sands, which some studies indicate are taking a large toll on Alberta’s environment. Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, is coming to Ottawa next Wednesday for a summit of G8 speakers, and her visit will include meetings with top oil industry representatives and environmental groups, both of whom will attempt to shape America’s future relationship with the oil sands.