OTTAWA - Over 5,000 letters demanding stricter greenhouse gas regulations for coal power in Canada were submitted during the public consultation period on federal coal regulations. Climate Action Network Canada believes that if incorporated into the proposed regulations, measures proposed in member submissions could insure that these regulations have a meaningful impact on Canada’s path towards a safer, more sustainable future. Read more »
Edmonton, AB — Tim Weis, Director of Renewable Energy and Efficiency, made the following statement in response to today's announcement by Environment Minister Peter Kent regarding federal regulations for greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired electricity: Read more »
On August 10, 2011 the Alberta Utilities Commission gave final approval to Calgary-based Maxim Power for the construction of a new conventional coal-fired plant near Grande Cache. The plant was approved despite soon-to-be introduced federal legislation that will phase out the construction of new plants, and despite a promise made by the former environment minster that they would guard against new plants being rushed through the approval process ahead of the July 1, 2015 implementation date for the new, stricter rules around coal plants. You can read more background on the issue here.
CALGARY — Today's final decision by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to approve a coal plant expansion proposed by Maxim Power Corp. represents a serious failure by the AUC to safeguard the public interest that could undermine upcoming federal greenhouse gas regulations, according to two of Canada's leading environmental groups. Read more »
OTTAWA – More than 40 diverse civil society organizations from across Canada have signed on to a letter calling on federal Environment Minister Peter Kent to protect the integrity of Canada’s forthcoming coal regulations by ensuring that this proposed new coal plant is not permitted to evade Ottawa’s rules. Read more »
Editor's Note: On June 30, 2011, the Alberta Utilities Commission expedited approval of Maxim Power Corp.'s proposal, in what many are viewing as a cynical attempt to avoid the proposed Federal coal plant regulations. See this post for more background.
As the world grapples with climate change, the Alberta government is poised to grant approval to a new coal-fired power plant without even holding a public hearing. Read more »
Jennifer Grant, director of the Pembina Institute's oilsands program, made the following statement in response to the Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel's report:
"The environmental monitoring panel's recommendations are thorough. We urge the government to move swiftly to implement a new, more robust and transparent monitoring system.
"More than 40 years after oilsands development started, Albertans have been told by numerous expert panels that environmental monitoring is insufficient. This is a matter of public trust and accountability and the government has a long way to go to restore public confidence that it is protecting the environment.
"It's important to note, as the panel did, that monitoring is just one component of natural resource management; you actually have to use the data to inform planning, regulatory decision-making and enforcement. You need the full package to get the job done — otherwise it's like having smoke detectors but no firetrucks or firefighters."
