(Canadian Press)

By David Opinko

Majority of Albertans concerned about environmental impacts of expanded coal mining in Rockies

May 18, 2021 | 11:16 AM

CROWSNEST PASS, AB – Many Albertans do not like the idea of widely expanding coal mining operations in the Rocky Mountains.

The Government of Alberta released the results of its initial engagement survey on developing a new Coal Policy. The current one was temporarily reinstated earlier this year after being rescinded in 2020.

READ MORE: Alberta reinstating 1976 coal policy

This engagement will help with the creation of a new coal policy.

24,752 people took the questionnaire, conducted between March 29 and April 19, just over half of whom live in the southern region.

Week-in-review: Passenger rail, a big investment in Coaldale and an NFL draftee from Lethbridge

18h ago

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: May 3, 2024

May 03, 2024

Week-in-review: Municipal election changes, a leadership debate and green bins

Apr 27, 2024

The majority of respondents feel the management of the province’s coal resources personally affects them.

“‘Environmental impacts of coal development’ and ‘if and where coal development takes place’ were ranked by respondents as the most important issues when discussing Alberta’s coal policy.”

The environmental concerns raised include the impacts of coal mining on water, air, health, wildlife, the overall environment, their ability to enjoy outdoor activities, liability for clean-up and contamination, and the impact of this on future generations.

About 64 per cent felt the economic benefits of coal development were not important at all.

More than 90 per cent felt that there are some areas of Alberta where coal exploration and development are not appropriate. Some of these areas include:

• The Rockies and foothills
• Wildlife corridors
• Areas near watersheds or major bodies of water
• Lands in Categories 1, 2, and 3
• Recreational areas
• Ecologically-sensitive areas
• Areas in close proximity to residential areas or farms

Respondents were asked to rank the most important issues when discussing a new coal policy. In order of most important to least, they are:

• Environmental impacts of coal development
• If and where coal development takes place in Alberta
• Regulatory oversight and enforcement or coal exploration
• Approval processes for coal exploration
• Regulatory oversight and enforcement for coal development
• Approval process for coal development
• Providing an understanding of local and economic community impacts
• Economic impacts of coal development

You can share your thoughts on the coal policy with the provincial government’s committee by sending an email to energy.coalpolicy@gov.ab.ca or submit a relevant document here.

More details on future engagement activities will be made available in the near future.