In-Depth
Alberta’s ‘back door’ plan to free up billions of litres of water for coal mines raises alarm
Amid concerns about droughts, selenium pollution, at-risk species and Indigenous consultation, the Alberta government is poised to allow coal companies to undercut a functioning water market 20 min read
Rachel Herbert is the fourth generation of her family to ranch in the Porcupine Hills. Her kids will be the fifth. The eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains are visible from the family’s land: rolling prairie carpeted with native grasses where her cattle graze under big Alberta skies.
The Alberta government’s rescindment of a longstanding coal policy, leaving previously protected lands available to open-pit coal mining, has her concerned about her family’s livelihood. Mines could be tucked just behind Plateau Mountain, not far from the Herbert family ranch.
Coal lease pause not enough, say groups
Poll
Yes
By Tim Kalinowski on January 20, 2021.
A portion of an interactive coal activity map (https://gis.energy.gov.ab.ca/Geoview/Coal) shows the area around the Crowsnest Pass and the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta. Alberta Energy
Southern Alberta conservation groups and some public officials are welcoming the UCP government’s announcement that it will be putting a pause on new coal leases in the Eastern Slopes and cancelling new offerings on 11 leases with the Oldman River headwaters, but stress this gesture does little to address the many more lease offerings the government has already approved since unilaterally rescinding the Coal Policy in June of last year.
Coal lease pause not enough, say groups
Poll
Will you visit a business if they open in spite of health restrictions that say they can’t?
Yes
Southern Alberta conservation groups and some public officials are welcoming the UCP government’s announcement that it will be putting a pause on new coal leases in the Eastern Slopes and cancelling new offerings on 11 leases with the Oldman River headwaters, but stress this gesture does little to address the many more lease offerings the government has already approved since unilaterally rescinding the Coal Policy in June of last year.
“I think it is an important reward to the thousands of Albertans and Canadians who rejected the revocation of the Coal Policy, but it is also a very small reward, says Ian Urquhart, conservation director with the Alberta Wilderness Association.
Mountaintop coal mine hearings to begin amidst fears of pollution, development rush alaskahighwaynews.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from alaskahighwaynews.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.