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The document that Minister Savage used to make a decision on rescinding the coal policy is public. Kevin Van Tighem shared it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/albertansagainstcoal/permalink/220153449766311/
I encourage everyone to read it; thread below has screenshots of some parts I think are important.
I encourage everyone to read it; thread below has screenshots of some parts I think are important.
Here we see that this document contains advice given to the Minister on the coal policy, that Option A was recommended, and chosen, as indicated by the Minister’s signature. So, some things she’s known since at least March, 2020:
1. That rescission will result in expanding the area available for coal exploration and development.
2. That some existing lease applications will convert to leases.
3. That the coal industry has been lobbying for for rescission for years.
2. That some existing lease applications will convert to leases.
3. That the coal industry has been lobbying for for rescission for years.
4. That this decision will not be favourable to user groups and environmental organizations, especially without consultation.
5. That rescission of this policy will result in gaps for land use planning.
5. That rescission of this policy will result in gaps for land use planning.
And here it’s made clear that the 1976 coal policy establishes limits on where and how coal exploration and development happens in AB. This policy was rescinded without any replacement.
