Three influential U.S. senators have wrapped up a tour of Alberta's oilsands. On Friday morning the premier flew to Fort McMurray with the trio of senators who are all part of a senate committee with a stake in Alberta oil.

CTV News was the only media outlet to speak with all three senators Friday. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss and North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan participated in the event, which included visits to Syncrude's oilsands facility, and Nexen's Long Lake in situ project and upgrader.

The American politicians tell CTV they are impressed with the technologies used in the oilsands and are grateful about the volume of oil being offered to the U.S. market.

The senators say they're actually surprised about the steps taken to improve the environmental footprint of the project.

"It is a national treasure of Canada and a blessing to the U.S. that that so much oil can be extracted from a good neighbour, ally. And the money we spend on oil won't go to terrorism," said Senator Saxby Chambliss.

The senators are all members of the U.S. Armed Service committee that controls where the American military gets its petroleum.

The Sierra Club recently sued the U.S. defence department for importing Alberta oil saying it violates an act requiring the military to purchase oil that has an equal or lower carbon footprint than conventional oil.

It comes as some U.S. companies and even municipalities have announced boycotts of oilsands fuel and the senators say that has brought some concern.

"I think people want to be sure that when they turn their lights on that their lights turn on," said Senator Kay Hagan.

Stelmach hails the visit as a success.

"The visit went exceedingly well. We were able to see a lot and share a great deal of information about both oil sands mining and in situ development, all while demonstrating our commitment to environmental responsibility," he said.

The politicians will now make their way to Saskatchewan to meet with Premier Brad Wall before returning to Washington.

With files from Scott Roberts