Like it or lump it.
Supporters of coal mining in the Rockies are accusing Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi of spreading fear to stoke opposition to "responsible" coal development on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, even as US president Donald Trump moves ahead with potentially crippling steel tariffs.
About 350 people gathered in southwest Calgary on Monday night to protest the UCP government’s plans to consider metallurgical coal mining applications in the Crowsnest Pass, among other geographic locations.
The event was hosted by the Alberta NDP and the Crowsnest Headwaters, an advocacy group that fights to protect the waters of the Saskatchewan River System.
“Angry, angry, angry,” was how Nenshi described the mood of the meeting, that was backed by a loose coalition of urban and rural environmental groups along with farmers and ranchers.
“We need a government that stands up for Albertans not their wealthy friends,” he said.
At the meeting, Nenshi accused the UCP government of “ripping up” the 1976 Lougheed-era coal policy that even he admitted was successful in balancing development and environmental protection.
But a government spokesperson told the Western Standard that nothing could be further from the truth And that the so-called ‘76 Policy’ remains in effect even as the Mines and Minerals department moves to ‘modernize’ existing coal regulations.
“There’s no open season on coal mining. No mountain tops are being erased or anything like that,” they said on background. “All that policy is still being finalized… 76 remains in place. Any new applications have to meet strict requirements.”
Much of the contention is surrounding an application from Australia-based Northback Holdings to redevelop the Grassy Mountain mine site near Coleman in the Crowsnest Pass.
The area, which has been mined for almost 100 years, has sat dormant since the 1980s pending reclamation of extensive and compounded environmental damage over the years.
Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean raised controversy by grandfathering the proposal under existing regulations late last year.
It followed a non-binding plebiscite last November that found more than three-quarters of residents support it, citing much needed economic development and well-paid jobs for young people and First Nations.
The company is proposing to reclaim the area while mining the existing coal reserves. Public hearings into a proposed exploration program were held at the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) offices in Calgary last month.
Final arguments are expected early next month and if approved, the drilling of three dozen test holes to delineate ground water resources could begin by June.
According to company spokesperson Rina Blacklaws, the meeting focused on what she called “false claims” with respect to selenium and allegations that Northback is trying to sue the Alberta government into gaining approval for its project.
In fact, selenium is a naturally occurring compound in the environment that can be mitigated and managed with new technology, while remediating the existing environmental damage.
“There’s was a lot of story telling and emotion,” she said of the proceedings. “But unfortunately, not a lot of fact.”
For his part, Jean said it was the NDP that invited coal companies back to category 2 land in 2016 and causing the current problems.
“The entire basis of the NDP town hall was built on misinformation,” Jean’s office said in a statement to The Western Standard.
“Alberta’s government is taking action to protect and preserve our beautiful Rocky Mountains and the foothills… and keep selenium out of our water.”
It said the 1976 Coal Development Policy will remain in place until the Coal Industry Modernization Initiative (CIMI) is completed despite assertions to the contrary.
“Alberta has an abundance of metallurgical coal which is in demand worldwide to make steel for millions of end-uses, including passenger vehicles, home appliances, farm and industrial equipment, and building materials. Metallurgical coal is also used to craft wind turbines and to smelt silicon from ore, to create solar panels,” he said.