Alberta premier promotes oilsands in U.S.

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach is heading home Friday after spending a week talking up the oilsands with legislators in Washington, D.C.

Stelmach said face-to-face meetings with senators from Colorado, South Carolina, Michigan, Montana and Alaska have helped U.S lawmakers understand the value of Alberta's oilsands and the steps being taken to minimize their environmental impact.

Stelmach met with David Goldwyn, a senior U.S. State Department adviser and told an energy security forum that the oilsands help create jobs and spur economic growth south of the border.

"Meeting face-to-face with senators was an opportunity to explain Alberta's responsible energy development," Stelmach said in a statement Friday.

"As the United States moves forward with climate change policies, it is imperative that U.S. lawmakers have a full and accurate understanding of oilsands development."