Concerns Regarding Alberta's Coal Policy

Freshwater Conservation Canada has written to Alberta Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean, expressing concern about recent updates to Alberta's coal policy. In particular, Ministerial Order 03/2025, issued in January, rescinds a moratorium on coal development that had been in place since 2022. This is a serious concern as it threatens the headwaters of many of Alberta’s rivers and streams.

The moratorium had been in place since 2022, as recommended by the Coal Policy Committee, which engaged broadly with Albertans and provided several recommendations in their report, which was released in December 2021. The first recommendation in the report is to develop a modernized coal policy. Although Minister Jean announced a Coal Industry Modernization Initiative in December 2024, a modernized coal policy is far from complete. Rescinding the moratorium is inappropriate as it presupposes the contents of a new policy and is being done before addressing several of the other recommendations of the Committee.

We have asked Minister Jean for the following:

1. Re-establish a moratorium on coal mine exploration and development in the eastern slopes

2. Complete regional and subregional plans are under the Land Use Framework and the Alberta Land Stewardship Act.

3. Resolve uncertainties regarding responsibility for reclamation liabilities relating to coal exploration and development activities.

4. Address reclamation liabilities for legacy coal mines

5. Prioritize our environment's integrity and long-term health, which provides essential and irreplaceable ecosystem services and economic benefits.

   
   

Much of Freshwater Conservation Canada’s work is focused on restoration, which is a critical investment towards improving the resilience of our watersheds, improving water quality and recovery of species at risk. However, ecological restoration is much more costly than preventing damage and impossible, where the damage takes aquatic ecosystems past the point of repair. Healthy headwaters are critically important for biodiversity, resilience to the impacts of climate change, recreational opportunities, human health and livelihoods.

A copy of our letter can be found below:

Letter RE Coal Policy Feb 2025.pdf

Download PDF • 85KB

Additional resources can be found here:

• Government of Alberta - Coal Policy Engagement: https://www.alberta.ca/coal-policy-engagement

• Government of Alberta - Coal: https://www.alberta.ca/coal 

• Oldman Watershed Council - Frequently Asked Questions About Coal Mining: https://oldmanwatershed.ca/blog-posts/2025/2/3/owccoalfaq2025

• Alberta Wilderness Association (various resources): https://albertawilderness.ca/

• West Country Sustainability Coalition (two-page flyer): https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60c110f622ae60116aea72db/t/67b7bb29652c6e2fe9ad46d1/1740094255583/2025+WCSC+FLYER_sm.pdf