Forward thinking is key for water protection

By Lethbridge Herald on March 25, 2026.

Editor,

In response to Mike Young’s recent plea for the development of Grassy Mountain, I would like to offer a perspective grounded in modern science and global economic shifts.

The Evolution of Science

We cannot argue with the prosperity coal brought to previous generations of immigrants seeking a better life. However, those generations lacked the technological and scientific tools we possess today to understand the long-term ramifications of coal development.

Just as we celebrate breakthroughs in medicine and the scientific advancements that have skyrocketed agricultural yields, we must also respect the documented science regarding the ”existential problems” of coal mining. The reality remains: selenium is not 100 percent capturable, a fact supported by countless biologists and toxicologists.

Clarifying Our Resources

Mr. Young, while crude oil, natural gas, and timber are indeed Alberta ”natural resources,” it is a mistake to group wheat, canola, and beef into that same category. These are industrially farmed products. In fact, they are highly reliant on chemical fertilizers, growth hormones, and herbicides—additives that, while scientifically developed to meet market demand, often adversely affect our land and waterways.

The Global Shift to Green Steel

The claim that there is an ”undying need” for coal-produced steel is rapidly becoming a myth. Global industrial leaders are already pivoting:

China: On September 22, 2025, the government banned new steelmaking capacity and ordered an accelerated shutdown of coal-fired blast furnaces.

India: As of March 14, 2026, India’s Ministry of Steel has committed to a roadmap for ”green steel” through clean energy and circular economy practices.

Canada: Algoma Steel in Ontario has officially transitioned from coal/coke operations to Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF).

European Union: Currently, the EU operates 148 EAFs across 20 countries, compared to only 57 traditional blast furnaces.

Looking Toward 2030

According to the GMK Center, 80% of global capacity for hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) in EAFs will likely be held by European producers by 2030. With the rise of low-carbon electricity and regulatory shifts like the European Trading System, the era of coal-dependent steel is closing.

We must look forward, not backward, if we want to protect our water and our future.

Bob Costa,

Cowsley