A final report from the independent Coal Policy Committee was submitted Wednesday and Alberta’s minister of Energy, Sonya Savage, said the government will now “take the necessary time” to review the findings..The independent committee was established in March with a mandate to seek public engagement into a comprehensive look at Alberta’s long-term approach to coal development..The government also opened a preliminary survey about Alberta’s approach to coal policy and received nearly 25,000 responses which the committee reviewed..The committee’s main task was to ensure Albertans’ thoughts on the continued development of coal in the province were heard and represented in advice and recommendations to the minister of Energy..All coal mining in Alberta is regulated by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and mining activities and reclamation are subject to review and approval by Alberta Environment and Parks..According to the provincial government’s website, Alberta averages 25 to 30 million tonnes of coal production annually from its nine mines..“It’s clear that a lot of people have questions about coal, the different types of coal, how they’re used, how they’re developed, what the risks are and whether technology has changed much since 1976,” a message from the chair of the Coal Policy Committee stated in May..“We share those views and intend to discuss many of those same questions with Albertans.”.Coal has been a primary source of energy from the late 1800s until the late 1960s when it was overtaken by oil. However, coal remains a leading energy provider worldwide supplying more than 40% of the world’s total energy, according to Natural Resources Canada..The Alberta government set up a website to communicate the developments of the committee, including updates on meetings held with Albertans. The first recommendation from the committee came in April asking the minister of Energy to halt exploration in Category 2 lands while the engagement process was happening..In May, due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the committee announced it would engage Albertans virtually and encouraged people to share their thoughts via email, however, in-person meetings were carried out over the summer..A number of round table discussions were held with indigenous communities, ranchers, landowners, industry, community representatives and non-government organizations, both in person and virtually..Over the course of the year, the committee reviewed technical submissions and briefings from experts including the AER and Alberta Environment and Parks and toured a number of coal development companies, including Atrum Coal, Cabin Ridge Coal and Montem Resources..The initial deadline for the committee’s final report — set for November — was extended to December 31 at the committee’s request..“The committee felt this was necessary due to the significant volume of thoughtful and insightful submissions we received. We are committed to thoroughly considering the perspectives and advice of Albertans – and want to ensure we dedicate the time and attention needed to do so.”.On Wednesday, the committee submitted its final reports, with recommendations, to the Minister of Energy Sonya Savage..“The independent Coal Policy Committee has submitted both the engagement report and the final report, which contains their recommendations on Alberta’s long-term approach to coal,” said Savage in a statement..“The government will take the necessary time to review the reports’ findings and recommendations carefully before they are released publicly.”.Savage thanked the committee along with Albertans, indigenous people, communities and organizations for their participation in the process and for providing their “valuable input.”.Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
A final report from the independent Coal Policy Committee was submitted Wednesday and Alberta’s minister of Energy, Sonya Savage, said the government will now “take the necessary time” to review the findings..The independent committee was established in March with a mandate to seek public engagement into a comprehensive look at Alberta’s long-term approach to coal development..The government also opened a preliminary survey about Alberta’s approach to coal policy and received nearly 25,000 responses which the committee reviewed..The committee’s main task was to ensure Albertans’ thoughts on the continued development of coal in the province were heard and represented in advice and recommendations to the minister of Energy..All coal mining in Alberta is regulated by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and mining activities and reclamation are subject to review and approval by Alberta Environment and Parks..According to the provincial government’s website, Alberta averages 25 to 30 million tonnes of coal production annually from its nine mines..“It’s clear that a lot of people have questions about coal, the different types of coal, how they’re used, how they’re developed, what the risks are and whether technology has changed much since 1976,” a message from the chair of the Coal Policy Committee stated in May..“We share those views and intend to discuss many of those same questions with Albertans.”.Coal has been a primary source of energy from the late 1800s until the late 1960s when it was overtaken by oil. However, coal remains a leading energy provider worldwide supplying more than 40% of the world’s total energy, according to Natural Resources Canada..The Alberta government set up a website to communicate the developments of the committee, including updates on meetings held with Albertans. The first recommendation from the committee came in April asking the minister of Energy to halt exploration in Category 2 lands while the engagement process was happening..In May, due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the committee announced it would engage Albertans virtually and encouraged people to share their thoughts via email, however, in-person meetings were carried out over the summer..A number of round table discussions were held with indigenous communities, ranchers, landowners, industry, community representatives and non-government organizations, both in person and virtually..Over the course of the year, the committee reviewed technical submissions and briefings from experts including the AER and Alberta Environment and Parks and toured a number of coal development companies, including Atrum Coal, Cabin Ridge Coal and Montem Resources..The initial deadline for the committee’s final report — set for November — was extended to December 31 at the committee’s request..“The committee felt this was necessary due to the significant volume of thoughtful and insightful submissions we received. We are committed to thoroughly considering the perspectives and advice of Albertans – and want to ensure we dedicate the time and attention needed to do so.”.On Wednesday, the committee submitted its final reports, with recommendations, to the Minister of Energy Sonya Savage..“The independent Coal Policy Committee has submitted both the engagement report and the final report, which contains their recommendations on Alberta’s long-term approach to coal,” said Savage in a statement..“The government will take the necessary time to review the reports’ findings and recommendations carefully before they are released publicly.”.Savage thanked the committee along with Albertans, indigenous people, communities and organizations for their participation in the process and for providing their “valuable input.”.Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
