Oil sands: a question of balance.(GUEST COLUMN / CHRONIQUER INVITE)

Canada's oil sands provide a secure energy supply in a world of geopolitical uncertainty. There are challenges in developing the oil sands, to be sure, but continuous progress has been achieved through investment in research and technology, and confidence in the people leading innovation on the industry's frontlines.

The oil and gas exploration and production industry spends more on environmental protection than any other industry in Canada. Continuous improvement is one pillar of a Triple-E foundation for responsible development: Environment, Energy and Economy. Even in the current economic downturn, the oil sands industry will spend an estimated $10 billion on oil sands development this year. Energy security has emerged as a key issue in an evolving North American energy policy framework. Industry also recognizes that public expectations for environmental performance are increasing, for both current and future projects. This is not a case of "either/or." In our view, the Triple-E framework ensures that all of these expectations can be balanced and addressed, in large measure through the application of new ideas and technology.

The oil sands are not unlike other large-scale national projects with national benefits, projects such as the construction of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, or the National Railroad. Major projects warrant broad discussion of all of the issues and opportunities, and we welcome both scrutiny and greater public awareness of its stake in the outcome. Most Canadians think the right balance is achievable, and they understand the role resource development plays in the strength of our nation's economy in the form of jobs, taxes and royalties that ultimately support health care, education and other social programs. The oil sands industry currently supports tens of thousands of jobs, many of which are outside Alberta, and in 2007 contributed an estimated $27 billion to government revenues in the form of royalty payments, land payments and income taxes.

Most Canadians believe that environmental and economic issues are not, and should not, be mutually exclusive, and we agree: if resource development is a fundamental part of our nation's economic future then we must also find ways to continue to raise the bar on environmental performance to ensure its full potential is realized.

These are not just lofty goals: since 1990 there has been a 38 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) intensity from the oil sands. A further 12 percent reduction in GHG emissions is required of oil sands operations in compliance with existing Alberta legislation, and the federal government is developing a national policy framework for regulation of GHG emissions, with consideration for emerging U.S. policies.

If the industry's supporters and critics have one thing in common, it is a sense of urgency and a desire to apply technology in order for Canada to weather the current economic storm and emerge stronger and better positioned for the future. It is our responsibility as an industry to commit, to communicate and to act. It can be done and it is being done. Some of industry's most important contributions to the dialogue are the specific innovations discussed in the feature article on oil sands in this edition of L'Actualite chimique canadienne/Canadian Chemical Nerds (ACCN).

Whatever your views, oil sands development is a project of national importance, warranting a dialogue of diverse opinions, based on forward-thinking, facts and sound science. I urge readers of ACCN and all Canadians to participate in the conversation at www.canadasoilsands.ca.

David Collyer is the president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

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