“Alberta has been, and always will be, a reliable energy partner and ally to the United States. The recent comments made by the new Ambassador to Canada were ill-informed and unproductive at a time when we must work together to create long-term energy security for North America.

“Last year, about 62% of the crude oil imported to the United States came from Canada, and virtually all of that was from this province. We supplied our ally with 10 times more oil than Saudi Arabia, and five times more than all of OPEC.

“The world is moving towards an energy transition and net-zero, and so is Alberta’s energy industry. In fact, we are the world leaders in environmental performance and lowering emissions, and always have been. The fact remains that the world is going to continue to use oil and gas as we transition, and even in a net-zero world. That energy must come from jurisdictions like Alberta that are leaders in environmental standards, safety and reliability. Otherwise, it will come from places like Venezuela, Russia or Saudi Arabia.

“On May 17, Alberta, represented by Premier Kenney, appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The ongoing global energy crisis, especially the unjust war in Ukraine, highlights the need for safe, secure, affordable, and reliable energy, as the world seeks to lower emissions.

“Alberta is part of the solution, both short- and long-term. Alberta has the capacity to provide an additional 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) through unused pipeline capacity, and an additional 200,000 to 250,000 bpd in available rail capacity. In the medium term, an additional 400,000 bpd can be available through pipeline optimization projects, and 590,000 bpd when the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion comes online.

“Leadership is needed, which is why Alberta called on the United States government to join Canada in demanding that the Governor of Michigan respect the 1977 Canada-US Pipeline Treaty and abandon efforts to decommission the Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline. This is a treaty between national governments, and Washington has a role to play.

“Alberta energy is part of the long-term solution for the world. Replacing foreign imports with responsible Canadian energy is not a threat to the environment. Alberta has some of the highest ESG rankings in the world and the fastest-growing renewable energy sector in Canada.

“Alberta energy products support jobs on both sides of the border, lower U.S. energy costs, and play a vital role in maintaining a reliable, affordable, North American energy system. I invite the U.S. Ambassador to Canada to visit Alberta and meet with our energy sector for himself to learn more about how we can work together in the years ahead.”