OLDS — For the second time in a couple of weeks, council has dealt with the issue of coal mining in the Rocky Mountains and their eastern slopes.
Councillors agreed to send a letter to the premier and applicable ministries – including Energy Minister Sonya Savage -- asking for assurances that concerns about the industry will be heard by provincial officials.
Council made that decision during its Feb. 22 meeting.
Coun. Wanda Blatz made that suggestion, noting council had received two letters on the subject from Olds resident Barb Adair and Carstairs resident Jim Wilde.
Both Wilde and Adair had expressed concern about the province’s decision last May to quietly rescind a coal policy set in place in 1976.
That policy that prevented coal mines from being operated along certain areas of the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
Those areas are lauded for spectacular views of the mountains and are home to several species of endangered of wildlife. They’re also the source of several rivers that many residents depend on for their water.
During the past few weeks, after residents of southern Alberta, including ranchers, city-dwellers, Indigenous people, and environmentalists learned that the policy had been rescinded, there was a rising tide of opposition and publicity about that change.
As a result, on Feb. 8, the provincial government backed down – at least partially.
Energy Minister Sonya Savage said the provincial government is reinstating the four coal categories that governed where and how coal leasing, exploration and development can occur.
She said she also told the Alberta Energy Regulator that the province will not allow any mountaintops to be removed.
On Feb. 23, Savage announced that public consultations on the province's coal mining policy will begin on March 29.
"I have directed my department officials to bring forward a comprehensive consultation plan that is by Albertans and for Albertans. The details of the process will be announced before consultations begin," she said.
“With the input of Albertans, a modern coal policy will protect the areas Albertans cherish while allowing responsible resource development in the appropriate places."
It was not clear what those "appropriate places" would be.
During council’s Feb. 8 meeting, Blatz had praised the government for its decision to at least largely reinstate the old coal policy.
In her letter, Adair expressed concern about what coal mining could do to the health of people, animals and the environment in general.
“In my opinion, the provincial government, in opening up some more areas to coal mining has embarked on a dangerous path leading to more water contamination and shortages, more health concerns for humans and animals, destruction of animal habitats and endangered plants, trees and fish," she wrote.
“It is inconceivable to me that in these modern times anyone would be taking this approach to economic development when we have learned so much from past mistakes in this approach and when clean energy development is obviously trending in our future, not coal.
“I am appealing to council to reach out to the provincial government and join many other municipal governments in the province that are asking the government to stop pursuing the idea of bringing back the outdated practice of coal mining.”
In his letter, Wilde wrote, “this is an issue that goes beyond the deleterious side effects. This is our home and I do feel outraged. I am certainly not alone in those feelings.”
In addition to that letter, Wilde enclosed a four-page essay on the matter.
A portion of that essay said, “Premier (Jason) Kenny went to New York shortly after being elected to meet with the rich and powerful. They feted him at the Manhatten Institute as he told them what they wanted to hear. His mantra was that Alberta is open for business.
“What he did was lay Alberta bare for rape. Then in the dark of the night, he opened the door.”
Blatz noted that representatives of several surrounding communities have written letters to the province decrying an alleged lack of consultation by the province when it decided to rescind the 1976 coal policy.
She said coal mining may not affect Olds directly “although eventually it could affect the water supply we do get from the Red Deer River if it continues on.”
She called on the town to write a letter to the premier and appropriate ministries stating that Olds officials “have concerns with the transition into coal mining and the environmental impacts there could be” and calling on the provincial government to “ensure that there will be proper engagement with all constituents and governments going forward,” including municipalities.
“I think it’s a great initiative for us to consider," Coun. Mitch Thomson said. “You know, in the media and in all the social media there’s information that’s correct and probably incorrect.
“I can’t say I’m fully informed on the matter but I do believe it’s something that may impact us in the future and (is) well worth our consideration.”
Mayor Michael Muzychka thanked Blatz for suggesting the letter.
