Premier Ed Stelmach says Alberta wants a seat at the table during any talks aimed at reaching a climate change deal between the federal government and the United States.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government has indicated that it will be making overtures to Washington about a climate change pact now that Barack Obama has been elected president.

Stelmach said Alberta must be included because any deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions would have an impact on major energy projects in the province.

The premier also said the new president-elect needs to understand that Alberta's oilsands provide the U.S. with a reliable source of energy that will be needed to revive the sagging American economy.

Stelmach said he won't support a climate change deal that cools investment in Alberta's energy sector or one that ends up boosting the prices of fuel, electricity and home heating.

Stelmach said Harper should not make the same mistake that former prime minister Jean Chretien made in negotiating a climate change pact without consulting the provinces.