Dear Reader,
The New Year often spurs on a flurry of resolutions, goals and a vision for change and our first newsletter of the calendar year focuses on an area that is in dire need of an overhaul: Mines and Waters in Alberta. Mining activity (whether it’s coal or oilsands) has a huge impact on Alberta’s landscapes, water quality and communities. The Government of Alberta’s announcement of the “Coal Industry Modernization Initiative”, on December 20, followed by its direction to the Alberta Energy Regulator to lift the moratorium on coal January 16th seems terribly out of step with where we need to go in 2025. Read on below for more details and how you can speak out!
In other mining and water news, we are hosting an event February 6th to commemorate the anniversary of the Imperial Oil Kearl spill that you can register for here. The event is timely with the release of a study that details the Alberta Energy Regulator’s failure to accurately investigate and report spills, and the long overdue announcement of charges being laid against Imperial, both of which you’ll find about more in this newsletter’s edition.
Damage done from coal exploration in the West Country of Alberta, 2021.
Government of Alberta announces “Modernized Vision” followed by the removal of moratorium on coal in Alberta
In case you missed it (or maybe you’ve been waiting to hear our thoughts on it) the Government of Alberta announced its modernized approach to Coal development in Alberta Friday, December 20th, and one month later, the moratorium on coal in the eastern slopes was removed.
On the surface the Coal Industry Modernization Initiative (CIMI) purports to prioritize responsible coal mining practices with the goal of ensuring that Alberta’s waters are protected from mining contaminants such as selenium, but it is clear that it will allow coal mining in Alberta’s eastern slopes to which Albertans have said no several times.
Removing the moratorium means that new coal mine exploration and development could begin as early as this spring, and companies are already being notified that their exploration permits are no longer paused.
The removal of the moratorium. especially before new rules are in place, or land-use plans are complete, makes it very clear that the Coal Industry Modernization Initiative (CIMI) will cater to the coal industry. It also disregards the results of the 2021 Coal Policy public engagement, which showed that 70% of Albertans oppose any new coal exploration or mine development anywhere in the province.
Read our December 20th statement about CIMI
Read our January 20th statement about the removal of the moratorium
How will CIMI impact the West Country?
Four companies have proposed coal mine projects within the headwaters of the North Saskatchewan River in the area around Rocky Mountain House and Nordegg. The removal of the 1976 Coal Policy in 2020 allowed over 186,187 hectares to be leased to mining companies. Even once the policy was reinstated, and a moratorium was announced in 2022, the leases remained in place.
The future of proposed mine projects in the area certainly loom over the eastern slopes, as many will now be able to move forward because of the moratorium’s removal.
Valory Resource’s Blackstone mine involves open cut, highwall mining and underground portions. The environmental threats from this mine will be rearing their ugly heads once again.
These headwaters are the water source for millions across the prairies and are invaluable streams and rivers for trout in the province. Renewed interest for new coal projects in the region is a threat to entire ecosystems.
Read more: CIMI and the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad news for Alberta
Video detailing coal risks to West Country region, published in 2021. The same risks apply in 2025.
New Study Reveals Alberta Energy Regular Misses Mark on Investigating and Accurately Reporting Spills
If you have been following criticisms of the Alberta Energy Regulator and the agency’s gaffs, this headline may not be shocking to you but it is a dismal confirmation of the regulator’s ineffectiveness.
Ecologist Dr. Kevin P. Timoney examined data on reported spills to the Alberta Energy Regulator. His study examined 516 incidents and compared public AER data and information from Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy requests. Stark differences were found between the data sets, highlighting the AER’s ineffectiveness in regulating industry and in protecting the Alberta public and environment from potential harm.
Key Takeaways:
- Public data is self-reported by industry with minimal to no verification by the AER.
- Of the spills examined, approximately 95% were not inspected on the ground by the AER
- Size of spills are frequently underrepresented in the self-reported data.
- The noted locations of spills were often inaccurate and kilometres away from where incidents occurred.
- When “no environmental harm” was reported, many cases included photographic and satellite images that showed there was in fact environmental harm.
The AER has repeatedly shown that they put industry’s interests above the well-being of Indigenous communities, Albertans, wildlife, and the environment. By not thoroughly investigating these spills and ensuring transparent and accurate reporting, they are putting communities in harm’s way. Transparent, detailed and accurate reporting is urgently needed.
ENGOs Urge Alberta Energy Regulator to Reconsider Imperial Oil Kearl Fine | AER Lays Charges for Incident
In 2022, Imperial Oil reported a spill that occurred at their Kearl Mine facility. The incident was a 5.3 million litre spill. Upon further investigation, seepage had been an ongoing problem and lasted 263 days before it was resolved. The full impact from the spill and seepage to the environment and to nearby communities remains unknown. The law would allow the regulator to issue a fine of at least $1.3 million but they initially opted for the fractional fine of $50,000.
Read Ecojustice’s Press Release
A (very) small win is to be celebrated, as just this past Friday, news broke that the regulator would be laying charges for the incident. A form of justice may yet see the light of the day for the communities and nature that were impacted.
Groups call for Indigenous communities to have real decision-making power over proposed Tailings solutions
In December we joined members from impacted Indigenous communities, allies, students and environmental groups in speaking out against the negative impacts of tailings at the University of Alberta, where the International Oil Sands Tailings Conference (IOSTC) was hosted.
There are NO community supported solutions to the ever-expanding risks of tailings ponds that continue to harm the environment and communities.
Below is some protest art led by Indigenous Climate Action that made a big impact on campus.
Upcoming Events
An Anti-Valentine Affair: Tailings Don’t Love You Back
Thursday, February 6, 6-9 PM
Film screening and T-shirt making
To commemorate the 2-year anniversary of the Imperial Oil Kearl Mine tailings spill, we are hosting an event with the SNAP Gallery in Edmonton. Join us for a screening of “Killer Water” by Brandi Morin and the opportunity to make print slogans like “Dear Alberta, Break up with Tailings” or “Tailings are Toxic, like my ex” onto a t-shirt, tote or paper. Please bring a T-shirt or Tote if you’d like to partake in the silk-screening activity. Our Boreal Program Manager, Kaitlyn Philip will share some words on our current tailings project. Tickets are $20/each.
GET TICKETS HERE
Reuniting with Fire: Restoring Indigenous Fire Stewardship in Canada
Monday, February 18, 12-1PM
A Webinar on “Good Fire” with Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson
Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in Indigenous fire and a growing recognition of the importance of cultural burning practices, particularly in relation to increasing biodiversity and providing nature-based climate solutions.
This free webinar co-hosted with CPAWS Southern Alberta will discuss Indigenous fire knowledge, impacts of cultural severance, and reunion with fire.
REGISTER HERE
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