An Alberta country music star is criticizing the province害羞草研究所檚 energy minister for advising its energy regulator to accept initial applications for a coal mine project in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta.
Corb Lund says that after meeting with Energy Minister Brian Jean, he doesn害羞草研究所檛 believe the minister knows enough about the issue.
害羞草研究所淚 met with Brian Jean to discuss the coal issue a couple of months ago. And I was alarmed by how little he knew,害羞草研究所� Lund said in an email to The Canadian Press.
害羞草研究所淚 knew more about the coal issue than he did, and I害羞草研究所檓 just a guitar player, not the minister of energy. It害羞草研究所檚 chilling to me that ill-informed politicians are making decisions about our water.害羞草研究所�
On Thursday, the Alberta Energy Regulator said the Grassy Mountain steelmaking coal proposal near Crowsnest Pass should be considered an advanced project and be exempt from a ministerial order banning coal development in the mountains.
The regulator reached the decision after receiving a letter from Jean in support of considering the applications.
The regulator says it will hold public hearings on mine proponent Northback害羞草研究所檚 request for exploration permits and a water licence.
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In a statement on Saturday, Jean said there害羞草研究所檚 a difference between applying for a drilling permit and a permit being approved, pointing out the application has not been approved.
The provincial energy regulator is independent, and its officials are 害羞草研究所渢he correct people to make this technical decision,害羞草研究所� he added.
害羞草研究所淚 consult widely with lots of Albertans on lots of issues. I took the time to speak with Corb and I asked him many questions to get his perspective on this issue. It害羞草研究所檚 disappointing that he feels this way,害羞草研究所� Jean said.
Lund, a longtime vocal opponent of coal mining in the eastern slopes, says review panels and governments have already turned down the project and polling has shown the public doesn害羞草研究所檛 support it.
害羞草研究所淗ow many times do Albertans have to say no to these foreign coal companies?害羞草研究所� he wrote.
害羞草研究所淭he joint review panel already firmly told them no, at both the provincial and federal levels 害羞草研究所� and their appeal was denied after that. Public polling has shown over and over that the vast majority of Albertans don害羞草研究所檛 want these coal mines.害羞草研究所�
He said southern Alberta can害羞草研究所檛 support another significant water user.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e dealing with crippling drought.害羞草研究所�
Jean countered that the proposal, if approved, would not use any water from any river or stream in the foothills, and would instead use water from the existing coal mine lake on the property.
害羞草研究所淎lberta害羞草研究所檚 government is serious about protecting water. Rules on water use and water treatment will be a big part of the land-use planning which is being prepared for the foothills,害羞草研究所� he said.
While the community of Crowsnest Pass strongly supports the mine, environmental groups have said they害羞草研究所檙e considering a court challenge of the decision to exempt the applications from a ministerial order banning coal development along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
Lund lives in the southern Alberta community of Taber.
He has released 11 albums and tours regularly in Canada, the United States and Australia. He has been nominated for five Juno Awards, winning once, and has received several nods for Group of the Year from the Canadian Country Music Association.
Jean said advanced coal projects are allowed to make applications under the 2022 ministerial order. Four projects were told in 2022 that they qualified as advanced coal projects, he said.
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害羞草研究所� By Bob Weber in Edmonton
The Canadian Press
