Alberta’s Updated Coal Policy

23 December 2024
Photo: Richard Schneider

As we head into the weekend before the holiday break, the last thing on most Albertans' minds is “Will we have a major policy announcement about the future of coal mining in Alberta?” 

On the morning of December 20th 2024, the Ministers of Environment and of Energy, Rebecca Schulz and Brian Jean respectively, answered that question by possibly gifting a big lump of coal to an Australian billionaire, paving the path forward for the development of the Grassy Mountain open pit coal mine. While the Ministers stated they are finally addressing a ‘modernized coal policy’, and that there would be no ‘new’ open pit coal mines in the Eastern Slopes, the Grassy Mountain proposal, along with several other coal development sites, would be exempt from these restrictions. 

Albertans will be left with the negative environmental impacts from coal mining in our eastern slopes, Impacts which would threaten the health of our precious headwaters, the integrity of vital ecosystems which sustain biodiversity, and sensitive wildlife populations. Coal development in these critical ecosystems is not something the majority of Albertans support or asked for. 

Of course the timing of this announcement comes when most Albertans are distracted by the hustle & bustle of the season. Will we forget this decision even happened come 2025?  Absolutely not! We must remind our government that in March of 2022, Albertans were promised there would be no changes in coal policy until proper land use planning was put in place! https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/Documents/MinOrders/2022/Energy/2022_002_Energy.pdf

Let’s hold our policy makers accountable to their promises, and tell them that adverse environmental impacts of any proposed projects should be at the forefront of big policy decisions. Until there is absolute certainty selenium contamination can be contained, and vital ecosystems will be protected, no exemptions should apply to open pit coal mines in the eastern slopes. 

As we leave 2024 behind with another bombshell announcement, let’s not forget the string of policy decisions that have negatively impacted Alberta’s natural spaces & wildlife populations. Whether it was the reopening of a grizzly bear hunt, opening unlimited trapping of at-risk wolverines & other furbearers, allowing the hunting of cougars in provincial parks, or the possibility of protected areas being turned over to private development through the recent All Seasons Resort Act, Alberta’s natural heritage is under threat by an increasingly hostile provincial government. 

Nature Alberta firmly opposes changes in policy which are detrimental to the sustainability of our wildlife populations, our natural spaces, and the preservation of biodiversity within our province. Making policy changes without proper consultation, transparency, or scientific data is not good governance. 

So while we may all support nature, it’s time to stand up together and fight for nature. 

We urge you to stay informed on these important issues and write your respective MLA’s or Ministers to share your concerns:

And please support Nature Alberta so we can continue to advocate for nature too: https://naturealberta.ca/donate/

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