Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at the Economic Club of Canada on Feb. 5, 2024. (X/@ABDanielleSmith)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Premier Danielle Smith travels to U.S. capital to promote Alberta energy interests

Feb 7, 2024 | 10:55 AM

Premier Danielle Smith is spending the rest of the week promoting Alberta’s energy sector in the U.S. capital.

Smith, who also serves as the MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat, will meet with members of the U.S. Congress, industry leaders and think tanks while in Washington, D.C.

“Alberta is, and has always been, a friend to the United States,” Smith said in a statement.

“We share a common mission to ensure North American energy security and a reliable energy grid,” she added.

“I am looking forward to sharing how our province strives to be the most credible, responsible supplier of energy in a decarbonizing world, and the successes we have achieved as we grow our economy while reducing emissions.”

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She started off her visit by meeting with Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin.

While the pair did not give a formal statement, Smith said Alberta and Oklahoma have a lot in common.

“There is so much in common between Alberta and Oklahoma, including being responsible energy producers and our cowboy roots,” Smith wrote on X.

“I invited the senator to come to this summer’s Calgary Stampede to see how we rope and wrangle up in Canada.”

Her U.S. trip is the second stint of a tour promoting Alberta’s interests. An itinerary released by the Alberta government did not include specifics of who she plans to meet while in the capital.

Smith is travelling with six staff members. Expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page, according to a news release.

She opened a provincial advocacy office, gave speeches at several forums and met with Alberta’s federal Conservative MPs over the course of about two days spent in Ottawa.

The premier also met with her Ontario counterpart Doug Ford before heading south Wednesday.

Smith will fly home to Alberta on Friday.

The U.S. is Alberta’s largest trading partner and Alberta is the largest provincial exporter to the U.S., according to the government.

In 2022, Alberta’s exports to the U.S. totalled US$141.3 billion. Energy products accounted for about US$119.6 billion or 90 per cent of Alberta’s exports to the U.S. in 2022.