Rocky Mountains -- Image from Canadian Press

By Troy Gillard

amid intense public pushback...

Alberta cancels 11 recently issued coal leases in Rockies, pauses new ones

Jan 18, 2021 | 6:39 PM

EDMONTON – The Alberta government is cancelling 11 recently issued coal leases in the Rocky Mountains.

The province is also pausing any future coal lease sales on lands that were protected from open-pit mines under a policy the government revoked last May.

Energy Minister Sonya Savage says the United Conservative government has listened carefully to concerns raised in recent days.

She also says this move will have no impact on existing coal projects currently under regulatory review.

“We have listened carefully to the concerns raised in recent days, and thank those who spoke up with passion. As a result, we will pause future coal lease sales in former Category 2 lands. The coal leases from the December 2020 auction will be cancelled,” Savage said in a statement released late Monday afternoon.

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“This pause will provide our government with the opportunity to ensure that the interests of Albertans, as owners of mineral resources, are protected.

The minister still made it clear that the provincial government will still look to advance coal production in Alberta.

“Coal development remains an important part of the Western Canadian economy, especially in rural communities, but we are committed to demonstrating that it will only be developed responsibly under Alberta’s modern regulatory standards and processes,” Savage said.

“Today’s backpedaling from the UCP on their removal of protections for Category 2 public lands is a small victory for the thousands upon thousands of Albertans who have spoken up against this UCP government’s reckless decision to rip up Peter Lougheed’s coal policy,” NDP Environment Critic, Marlin Schmidt responded in a statement.

“While the UCP government has agreed to cancel the 11 most recently issued coal leases, there are another eight leases they sold last May that remain in effect.

Schmidt added, “Further, they still have not committed to reinstating the coal policy and to consulting before making further changes. Without these commitments, these precious wild spaces are still under threat.”