The True Cost of Coal: Our Water and Wallets are On the Line
Government of Alberta MUST develop a coal policy that protects Albertans and our future.
Despite no new coal policy being in place, new coal exploration and development is underway, and large mine projects like Grassy Mountain, Mine 14, and the Blackstone Mine are moving forward. Without a strong coal policy, concerned Albertans are left to address environmental concerns mine by mine, and application by application.
Tap the button below to send an urgent ask to your MLA, the Minister of Energy and Minerals, and the Premier, to protect Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes — and create a policy that keeps the region safe from new coal mining.
How We Got Here
Over the past five years, Albertans have been loud and clear that they oppose ANY new coal exploration or mining in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes. Tens of thousands came together to oppose the Government of Alberta’s rescission of the 1976 Coal Policy, successfully forcing the province to implement a moratorium in 2022.
Unfortunately, since then the Minister of Energy has removed the moratorium and is now drafting a new coal policy, the Alberta Coal Industry Modernization Initiative (CIMI), behind closed doors. This has led to new exploration approvals for Valory Resources’ Blackstone Mine in Clearwater County and Grassy Mountain in the MD of Ranchland, SW Alberta.
Albertans Stuck With the Bill
The Government of Alberta has been using taxpayer dollars to pay out coal companies. Nearly $240 million has been paid to companies such as Evolve Power and Atrum Coal following lawsuits over policy changes that paused new coal exploration. The terms of these deals are not public, so it’s unclear what Albertans gained.
The financial details of additional lawsuits by Cabin Ridge and Black Eagle Ltd. (owned by Valory Resources) have not yet been released.
A New Coal Policy: A Looming Threat
The Government of Alberta is drafting a new coal policy, the Coal Industry Modernization Initiative (CIMI), which will decide if and how coal mining proceeds in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes. Despite its major implications, it’s being developed with industry insiders — ignoring Albertans who have long opposed new coal development.
CIMI may be the greatest risk to Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes to date. This direction on coal policy:
- Puts water and communities at risk by relying on unproven cleanup technologies.
- Disregards the 2021 Coal Policy engagement results — 70% of Albertans oppose new coal mining anywhere.
- Ignores the Coal Policy Committee’s recommendation for land-use planning before any new coal policy.
We want a strong coal policy that prohibits new coal mining in the eastern slopes. More than 50 organizations, municipalities, and businesses support the community-led A Coal Policy for Alberta – 2022 and Beyond, providing a clear path forward to the end of coal in Alberta.
Why Are the Eastern Slopes So Important?
The impacts of coal mining are far-reaching and long-term:
- Contaminates water with selenium and other pollutants — no proven safe cleanup tech exists.
- Destroys habitat for mountain goats, caribou, grizzly bears, native trout, and alpine vegetation.
- Consumes large amounts of water, limiting supply for communities, fish, and agriculture.
- Generates dust with arsenic and toxins harmful to health and agriculture.
- Disrupts recreation and tourism, hurting sustainable local economies.
