The Alberta Government has lifted its moratorium on new coal exploration and development in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, a move that has drawn mixed reactions.
Energy Minister Brian Jean announced the decision, stating that it aims to reduce regulatory confusion around coal mining.
The focus is on the government’s new policy to prevent toxic selenium from contaminating watersheds, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The moratorium’s end comes as five coal companies are suing Alberta for more than $15bn (C$21.57bn) in lost revenues and sunk costs, claiming the government’s policy changes have harmed them.
All the five coal companies are set to appear in court in the spring.
The 1976 coal policy, which restricts exploration on Category 1 lands like parks and wildlife sanctuaries, remains in effect.
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By GlobalData
Nigel Bankes, University of Calgary professor emeritus of law, commented that outside of protected lands, “it is open season” for coal development.
He suggested the government lifted the moratorium to weaken the legal cases against it. Bankes noted: “It is very likely it knocks the foundation out from those cases.”
Jean’s office clarified that the ministerial order is a “housekeeping” change to implement the December policy announcement.
The statement emphasised that the new rules, including a ban on open-pit mining, will guide future coal exploration applications. However, critics argue that the term “open-pit mining” lacks a clear definition.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s Alberta chapter highlighted that more than 1,880km² of leases could soon see new coal exploration and development.
Companies are reportedly being informed that their exploration permits are reactivated.
Kennedy Halvorson of the Alberta Wilderness Association criticised the government’s decision as premature, stating: “It opens up a lot of lands for exploration and development that have been protected in the last couple years.”
She expressed concern that companies could resume applications before the new coal policy is fully developed.
Opposition New Democratic Party environment critic Sarah Elmeligi accused the United Conservative Party of breaking promises to protect the eastern slopes.
She remarked that the United Conservative Party of Alberta’s policy changes gave coal mining companies the expectation of compensation, and now the government is claiming that the moratorium was only a temporary break.
