coal mine

Growing public concern about coal mining in the Rockies led the Alberta government to reverse course and reinstate protections for the eastern slopes until a new policy can be developed. But this won’t affect coal leases already granted around Nordegg, which are still valid. (CP file photo).

Nordegg coal leases should be cancelled with the return of Big Horn protections, say residents

More details wanted about new public consultation process

Growing public concern about coal mining in the Rockies led the Alberta government to reverse course and reinstate protections for the eastern slopes until a new policy can be developed. But this won’t affect coal leases already granted around Nordegg, which are still valid. (CP file photo).
Sonya Savage, minister of energy in Alberta, speaks during an event to mark the start of right-of-way construction for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project in Acheson, Alta., on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. Savage says Alberta is reinstating a 1976 policy that protected the Rocky Mountains from coal mining. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Alberta government reinstates 1976 coal-mining policy after huge public outcry

No new exploration leases will be sold on the most environmentally sensitive areas

Sonya Savage, minister of energy in Alberta, speaks during an event to mark the start of right-of-way construction for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project in Acheson, Alta., on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. Savage says Alberta is reinstating a 1976 policy that protected the Rocky Mountains from coal mining. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
A conveyor belt transports coal near Hanna, Alta., on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. An Alberta Environment Department spokesman says the government plans to restore some aspects of a coal policy it revoked last spring. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Alberta to restore some coal-mining policy protections: government spokesman

Alberta to restore some coal-mining policy protections: government spokesman

A conveyor belt transports coal near Hanna, Alta., on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. An Alberta Environment Department spokesman says the government plans to restore some aspects of a coal policy it revoked last spring. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Nunavut hunters block mine road, airstrip; say their voices aren’t being heard

Nunavut hunters block mine road, airstrip; say their voices aren’t being heard

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney answers questions after announcing $43 million in repairs and improvements to provincial parks at a news conference in Calgary on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol

‘Dead letter:’ Alberta premier defends coal policy change in Rocky Mountains

‘Dead letter:’ Alberta premier defends coal policy change in Rocky Mountains

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney answers questions after announcing $43 million in repairs and improvements to provincial parks at a news conference in Calgary on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol
Alberta's provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa on June 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

More Alberta towns ask for coal consultations, pause on exploration

More Alberta towns ask for coal consultations, pause on exploration

Alberta's provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa on June 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Alberta town asks province for stop-work order on coal exploration in mountains

Alberta town asks province for stop-work order on coal exploration in mountains

Cattle graze winter pasture in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies near Longview, Alta. on Jan. 8, 2004. Concern over the provincial government's decision to drop a coal policy that has protected the eastern slopes of the Rockies for decades is growing among area communities. At least six cities, towns and municipal districts in southwest Alberta have now expressed concern about the decision and the fact it was made with no consultation. The latest is Longview, where mayor Kathie Wight is drafting a letter to the government opposing the move. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

More southern Alberta communities voice concern over province’s plans to expand coal

More southern Alberta communities voice concern over province’s plans to expand coal

Cattle graze winter pasture in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies near Longview, Alta. on Jan. 8, 2004. Concern over the provincial government's decision to drop a coal policy that has protected the eastern slopes of the Rockies for decades is growing among area communities. At least six cities, towns and municipal districts in southwest Alberta have now expressed concern about the decision and the fact it was made with no consultation. The latest is Longview, where mayor Kathie Wight is drafting a letter to the government opposing the move. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

‘Stories the numbers tell’: Critics ask why Alberta sat on coal contamination data

‘Stories the numbers tell’: Critics ask why Alberta sat on coal contamination data

In this March 28, 2017, file photo, a dump truck hauls coal at Contura Energy's Eagle Butte Mine near Gillette, Wyo. Unreported Alberta government data suggests some of the province's rivers and streams have already been heavily contaminated by coal mining. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Mead Gruver, File

Contaminant from coal mines already high in some Alberta rivers: unreported data

Contaminant from coal mines already high in some Alberta rivers: unreported data

In this March 28, 2017, file photo, a dump truck hauls coal at Contura Energy's Eagle Butte Mine near Gillette, Wyo. Unreported Alberta government data suggests some of the province's rivers and streams have already been heavily contaminated by coal mining. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Mead Gruver, File
A conveyor belt transports coal at the Westmoreland Coal Co.’s Sheerness mine near Hanna, Alta., on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. Coal mining impacts are already occurring in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains even as debate intensifies over the industry’s presence in one of the province’s most beloved landscapes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Contaminant from coal mines already high in some Alberta rivers: unreported data

Findings raise questions about Alberta Environment

A conveyor belt transports coal at the Westmoreland Coal Co.’s Sheerness mine near Hanna, Alta., on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. Coal mining impacts are already occurring in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains even as debate intensifies over the industry’s presence in one of the province’s most beloved landscapes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A conveyor belt transports coal at the Westmoreland Coal Co.'s Sheerness mine near Hanna, Alta., on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. Coal mining impacts are already occurring in Alberta's Rocky Mountains even as debate intensifies over the industry's presence in one of the province's most beloved landscapes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

As Alberta debates coal mining, industry already affecting once-protected Rockies

As Alberta debates coal mining, industry already affecting once-protected Rockies

A conveyor belt transports coal at the Westmoreland Coal Co.'s Sheerness mine near Hanna, Alta., on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. Coal mining impacts are already occurring in Alberta's Rocky Mountains even as debate intensifies over the industry's presence in one of the province's most beloved landscapes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage speaks during an event to mark the start of right-of-way construction for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, in Acheson, Alta., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. A government lawyer says decisions about environmental policy should be made by elected officials, not courts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Alberta lawyer argues coal policy decisions belong with politicians, not courts

Alberta lawyer argues coal policy decisions belong with politicians, not courts

Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage speaks during an event to mark the start of right-of-way construction for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, in Acheson, Alta., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. A government lawyer says decisions about environmental policy should be made by elected officials, not courts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
In this March 28, 2017, file photo, a dump truck hauls coal at Contura Energy's Eagle Butte Mine near Gillette, Wyo. Public opposition to the Alberta government's plans to expand coal mining in the Rocky Mountains appears to be growing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Mead Gruver, File

Alberta cancels coal leases, pauses future sales, as opposition increases

Alberta cancels coal leases, pauses future sales, as opposition increases

In this March 28, 2017, file photo, a dump truck hauls coal at Contura Energy's Eagle Butte Mine near Gillette, Wyo. Public opposition to the Alberta government's plans to expand coal mining in the Rocky Mountains appears to be growing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Mead Gruver, File
In this March 28, 2017, file photo, a dump truck hauls coal at Contura Energy's Eagle Butte Mine near Gillette, Wyo. Public opposition to the Alberta government's plans to expand coal mining in the Rocky Mountains appears to be growing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Mead Gruver, File

Public opposition growing: Petitions against Alberta coal mines top 100K signatures

Public opposition growing: Petitions against Alberta coal mines top 100K signatures

In this March 28, 2017, file photo, a dump truck hauls coal at Contura Energy's Eagle Butte Mine near Gillette, Wyo. Public opposition to the Alberta government's plans to expand coal mining in the Rocky Mountains appears to be growing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Mead Gruver, File

Alberta set to retire coal power by 2023, ahead of 2030 provincial deadline

Alberta set to retire coal power by 2023, ahead of 2030 provincial deadline

Environmental groups and some residents fear a proposed coal mine could unleash toxic metals into the headwaters of the Oldman River watershed relied on by everything from endangered trout to downstream cities. (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Mountaintop coal mine hearings to begin amidst fears of pollution, development rush

Riversdale says project would create about 500 jobs

Environmental groups and some residents fear a proposed coal mine could unleash toxic metals into the headwaters of the Oldman River watershed relied on by everything from endangered trout to downstream cities. (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson speaks via video link during a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 14, 2020. The federal government has announced it will join in an environmental assessment of a major expansion to proposed southern British Columbia coal mine. A spokeswoman for Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says the decision was made after analyzing the potential of Teck Resources’ Castle project to cause adverse effects within areas of federal jurisdiction. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Federal government to join assessment of Teck coal mine expansion in B.C.

OTTAWA — The federal government will join an environmental assessment of a…

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson speaks via video link during a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 14, 2020. The federal government has announced it will join in an environmental assessment of a major expansion to proposed southern British Columbia coal mine. A spokeswoman for Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says the decision was made after analyzing the potential of Teck Resources’ Castle project to cause adverse effects within areas of federal jurisdiction. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
States try again to block coal sales that Trump revived

States try again to block coal sales that Trump revived

States try again to block coal sales that Trump revived

States try again to block coal sales that Trump revived
Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson will make a decision by the end of July about the approval process for a major coal-mine expansion in Alberta, in a July 16, 2020 story. (By THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Environment minister reconsidering decision to stay out of Alberta coal-mine review

OTTAWA — Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson is reconsidering a decision in December…

Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson will make a decision by the end of July about the approval process for a major coal-mine expansion in Alberta, in a July 16, 2020 story. (By THE CANADIAN PRESS)