6-week extension granted for panel to deliver its report on Rockies coal mining

A panel gathering public enter on coal mining within the Alberta Rockies has been given one other six weeks handy in its report.

“Because of the extraordinary quantity, breadth and depth of the enter supplied by Albertans, the coal coverage committee requested an extension to the deadline for each their engagement and ultimate stories,” mentioned a press release by provincial Vitality Minister Sonya Savage.

“An extension till Dec. 31 has been granted.”

The panel mentioned it has acquired greater than 1,000 emailed paperwork and 170 detailed written submissions, together with related supplies from 67 conferences throughout the province.

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Established in March, the five-member panel was alleged to ship two stories to Savage on Monday — one summarizing what it heard and one other one with suggestions. The abstract report was initially anticipated in October, making Wednesday’s announcement its second delay.

“The coal coverage committee is grateful for the outpouring of curiosity all through the engagement course of,” mentioned a press release from chairman Ron Wallace. “In truth, we prolonged the engagement interval by two months till the top of September.

“We now have requested a deadline extension in order that we could higher compile, assess and report on the intensive and insightful enter submitted.”

Wallace has promised that every one submissions made to the committee can be publicly launched. He has mentioned most are strongly vital of coal growth within the foothills and peaks of the Rockies — a much-loved Alberta panorama and the supply of a lot of the province’s consuming water.

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In her assertion Wednesday, Savage mentioned the stories can be reviewed “intimately” earlier than they have been launched.

The panel was struck in response to a broad public outcry over proposals for open-pit coal mines within the mountains and foothills.

Alberta has paused additional coal exploration lease gross sales and halted work in essentially the most delicate landscapes whereas it develops a brand new coal coverage.

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