Alberta's Stelmach won't go to climate change talks

CALGARY - Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach says he doesn't want the federal government to make any commitments at upcoming climate change talks without making sure the U.S. is already on-board.

Stelmach says he won't be going to the talks in Copenhagen next month, but the province will be represented by Environment Minister Rob Renner.

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

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

He says he's asked the federal government to keep Canada from being "boy scouts" at the meeting by making commitments before the U.S. does.

Alberta's oilsands have attracted international criticism when it comes to climate change and Stelmach has frequently said the province has to work to change its image.

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  All the Great Lakes and Ontario's rivers are visible in this image from the space shuttle Discovery during STS-64 mission. A new report says Canada's rivers are at risk and some are even close to drying up because of climate change and growing demand for water.