Stelmach to sit out climate change talks

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach says he's not going to Copenhagen for the United Nations climate change conference in December.

The much-anticipated meeting, being billed as a turning point in the fight to prevent climate change, begins Dec. 7.

The province has spent thousands of hours in talks with the federal government, Stelmach said, and Ottawa is now well prepared to represent Alberta at the meeting. But the province is still sending a team of representatives, including Environment Minister Rob Renner.

Stelmach said he doesn't want the federal government to make any commitments at the upcoming Copenhagen talks without ensuring the United States is already onboard.

"We're not going to be boy scouts here and go out on a limb and start increasing the price of energy for Albertans and Canadians without our best trading partner doing the same," he said.

Stelmach also said he won't support any cap-and-trade system, in which a limit is put on the amount of greenhouse gases individual polluters can release and those industries exceeding the caps pay fees to those under the limits.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper changed his mind earlier this week and decided to attend the global summit.

Stelmach said Ottawa's position on climate change going into the conference mirrors many of the requests he made in a letter identifying Alberta's priorities.

Alberta's oilsands have attracted international criticism for the greenhouse gases they create, and Stelmach has frequently said the province has to work to change its image.