Province developing new coal policy
By Lethbridge Herald on December 20, 2024.
The Grassy Mountain Coal Project is seen north of Blairmore earlier this year. The government is introducing a new comprehensive coal policy that will ban new open-pit mining in the Eastern Slopes, but that doesn’t include existing or advanced projects such as Grassy Mountain. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)Al Beeber – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – abeeber@lethbridgeherald.com
The provincial government is introducing a new comprehensive coal policy.
The Coal Modernization Initiative will ban new open-pit mining in the Eastern Slopes, prohibit mountaintop removal and keep selenium out of Alberta’s water, said the government on Friday.
The ban on open pit coal mines, however, does not include existing or advanced projects such as Grassy Mountain, said a spokesman from the Department of Energy and Minerals.
The province says new rules are centred on protecting water and any new mining must use techniques that use best water practices and prevent adding selenium to waterways.
The government says the new policy will be ready for approval late in 2025.
New proposals need to be either underground mines or use mining technologies that move minimal amounts of overburden to prevent selenium leaching and siltation.
Minister of Energy and Minerals Brian Jean emphasized in a media briefing that there will be no new open pit coal mining in the Alberta foothills.
He said the province has heard residents are concerned about the environment. And it has heard the coal policy needs to be modernized to strengthen protections for the environment.
“Protecting our waters will be a top priority when considering new mining projects. The foothills are the headwaters for most of southern Alberta and these waters will be protected,” he added.
Any existing or new coal project in the foothills will need to prevent additional leaching into Alberta’s waters, said Jean.
“This can be done, industry knows how to do it and we will make sure industry does whatever is necessary to keep selenium out of our water. We will protect the foothills, Jean added.
“Our job will be to develop a policy that will attract investment and create jobs while respecting and protecting the air, land, water and wildlife that all Albertans hold dear,” said Jean, adding more than 30,000 Albertans including municipalities and industry stakeholders have voiced their opinions on coal through the Coal Policy Committee.
“Protecting our water will be our top priority in the development of all our new coal policy. If coal mining is allowed, it will only be allowed to the highest possible standards,” Alberta’s new standards which will be among the best in the world and best in Canada, Jean said.
The government is going to be doing targeted engagement sessions with coal industry stakeholders to start the modernization initiative which will let industry share their best practices that are used in other jurisdictions around the world and give industry a heads-up on coming policy changes, he said.
“We’re going to consult with industry on industry on how to get things done but we are not consulting on what will and what will not be allowed. We are not handing over the keys for unlimited coal development in Alberta’s precious spaces. We will not put our water at risk in any way,” said Jean.
The province says protections set out for recreation areas, reserves as well as national and provincial parks set out in the 1976 Coal Policy and law will continue.
The government says the CIMI implements recommendations “informed by Albertans and builds on the work that was started by previous governments to address the need for stricter regulations on coal mining as part of a broader environmental and resource development strategy.”
The government says Alberta coal “has the potential” to be sought after by the worldwide steelmaking industry and ensuring opportunities for metallurgical coal exploration and development will result in increased investment and jobs in Alberta.
However Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi says Albertans have been delivered a giant lump of coal by the UCP just before Christmas.
“They released a plan to increase coal mining in Alberta, and to do so in a way that has very little economic benefit and very significant environmental risk,” said Nenshi in a statement.
“So for farmers, for ranchers, for the agriculture sector, for people who live downstream, for outdoor enthusiasts this could not be a worse
announcement. Once again, the premier and her ministers show they listen to lobbyists instead of listening to Albertans.”
On top of not having any economic benefit and the number of environmental, the Alberta NDP feels there will be a lot of pollution, challenges for the watersheds and risks the agriculture industry.
“It just shows once again the UCP is a political movement that has no interest in actually being a government,” said Nenshi.
Former Lethbridge mayor Chris Spearman, who now lives in the Pincher Creek area, voiced his displeasure with the policy.
“If this rushed media event was intended to assure Albertans that their concerns were being addressed and their interests were being looked after by this government, it was a complete and utter failure. Albertans need to write to their MLAs before substantial harm is done to the Oldman River, our water, our economy and our way of life,” Spearman told The Herald.
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The Grassy Mountain project has been deemed ‘not in the public interest’ by a joint Alberta and Federal panel who investigated the current state of technologies and impacts. There is no ‘safe’ way to mine coal. Metallurgical coal is a significant source of ghg emissions. There are alternatives.
What has the UCP party promised the Australian billionaire behind this? It makes no sense unless someone is getting something to push this through.