Photo: Canadian Press

By rdnewsNOW Staff

REPORTS TO BE REVIEWED

Coal policy reports received: Minister Savage

Dec 29, 2021 | 5:41 PM

Alberta’s Minister of Energy, Sonya Savage, issued the following statement on Wednesday after receiving the Coal Policy Committee’s reports:

“The independent Coal Policy Committee has submitted both the engagement report and the final report, which contains their recommendations on Alberta’s long-term approach to coal. The government will take the necessary time to review the reports’ findings and recommendations carefully before they are released publicly.

“I thank the committee for their diligence and hard work engaging with Albertans and in developing their recommendations. I also want to thank all Albertans, Indigenous people, communities and organizations that participated in the process and provided their valuable input.”

NDP Critic for Environment, Marlin Schmidt, issued the following statement in response:

“Earlier today, the government announced that they have received the report from the Coal Policy Committee but will not be releasing it publicly at this time.

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“This report has been delayed three times now, and the Minister of Energy ensured that Albertans would know its contents on New Year’s Eve. Now, the government has turned tail once again and stated they will review the report and its recommendations before releasing to the public. No date has been committed for this public release.

“The UCP must stop delaying and release the Coal Policy Committee’s findings today. Enough obstruction.

“Since the UCP rescinded the 1976 Lougheed Coal Policy, quietly on the Friday before a long weekend, Albertans have made it very clear that they do not want coal mining in our most precious landscapes. Experts have made it very clear that coal mining in the eastern slopes would damage our watersheds and would cost the province more than it would benefit.

“There is zero reason to hold this report hostage from Albertans. It’s ready now, and refusing to release it to the public is just another game being played by the UCP.”

Related: ‘It’s like Christmas’: Companies, environmentalists eager to open coal mining reports