Alberta announces plan to develop 'modernized' coal policy
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The future of coal mining in Alberta will be governed by a new, modern approach, the province announced on Friday.
The future of coal mining in Alberta will be governed by a new, modern approach, the province announced on Friday.
Brian Jean and Rebecca Schulz released details of the Coal Industry Modernization Initiative, or CIMI, at Calgary's McDougall Centre on Friday morning.
The framework sets out rules to "guide responsible coal mining practices" while also increasing royalties to Albertans.
According to a document released to the media, the CIMI's main goal will be to protect Alberta's water.
"If coal mining is allowed, it will only be allowed to the highest standards," the document reads.
The CIMI bans mountaintop removal as a technique, prevents all open-pit coal mining in the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies and will not consider any coal mining proposals that have not explored the best water practices first.
"The Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas is leading the government's collaborative cross-ministry work on land-use planning," the document said.
