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"There was never any intention when the coal policy was rescinded to change any of the restrictions or any of the protections in the eastern slopes." - Energy Minister Savage
But...
1/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/new-alberta-coal-policy-coming-next-week-energy-minister-says-1.5902128
But...
1/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/new-alberta-coal-policy-coming-next-week-energy-minister-says-1.5902128
Court documents reveal the Rationale behind rescinding Lougheed’s Coal Policy was to increase the province’s attractiveness by “expanding and unifying the land base that is available for coal leasing, exploration & development.”
AKA opening the Eastern Slopes to strip mining
AKA opening the Eastern Slopes to strip mining
“skeptics should put more faith in regulators, who would never approve new projects that would threaten water quality.” - Jason Kenney
But...
But...
A series of Alberta court rulings on the Ernst lawsuit said the regulator was legally immune from lawsuits and that the agency had “no duty of care” to Albertans or the environment. https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2021/02/03/Trust-Alberta-Energy-Regulator-Safeguard-Coal-Mines/
In fact, the GOA put forward a plan to take up to eight billion litres of Oldman River water above the dam which have been set aside under the Water Act for drought, other environmental conditions, and other potential developments or irrigation stresses,” https://lethbridgeherald.com/news/lethbridge-news/2021/01/28/phillips-sounds-alarm-over-coal-mine-queue-jumping/
But back to that court document on the impact of rescinding Lougheed’s Coal Policy,
“The policy shift will be viewed positively by the coal industry, as recession is something the industry has been advocating for years.”
And in case there’s still any doubt that they knew...
“The policy shift will be viewed positively by the coal industry, as recession is something the industry has been advocating for years.”
And in case there’s still any doubt that they knew...
Not only did they know but they also knew that you’d care...
and they didn’t care.
“However, it will draw criticism from environmental groups and other user groups active within Alberta’s Eastern Slopes, particularly if the decision is made without prior public consultation.”
and they didn’t care.
“However, it will draw criticism from environmental groups and other user groups active within Alberta’s Eastern Slopes, particularly if the decision is made without prior public consultation.”
And with that they made their decision,
“With the recession of the Coal Policy, all restrictions on issuing coal leases within former category 2 and 3 lands have been removed”
“With the recession of the Coal Policy, all restrictions on issuing coal leases within former category 2 and 3 lands have been removed”
