Albertans won’t know if there’s coal in their stockings until after Christmas.
Energy Minister Sonya Savage has promised to release reports early in the new year that will determine the future of coal mining in the beloved Rocky Mountain foothills and eastern slopes of the province.
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A 6-week extension is granted for the panel to deliver its report on Rocky Mountain Coal Mining
One report is to summarize months of Alberta citizen submissions, the other will make recommendations.
Opponents of mining, including Craig Snodgrass, the mayor of the High River foothills community, say there is no middle ground.
Snodgrass says that all the eastern slopes share the same environmental values and either mining is allowed on them, or not.
Peter Doyle of Montem Resources, who hopes to build a mine in the Crowsnest Pass area, says he still believes mines are worth building on previously disturbed sites.
Both parties agree that they seek clear direction from the government, and the sooner the better.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
Reference-globalnews.ca