CROWSNEST PASS, Alta. — The company behind the proposed Grassy Mountain coal project in southwestern Alberta says it is shocked by the federal government's decision that it cannot proceed.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson made the announcement in a news release Friday.
He said while mining is important to the economy, coal can include significant adverse environmental effects.
Wilkinson said the decision was based on information that included the findings of a joint review panel report.
Benga Mining Limited says in a statement this week that the minister's determination was made despite applications being filed with the Court of Appeal of Alberta by the company and two separate First Nations.
The company says its legal counsel wrote to the minister requesting he take no action at this time to allow it to pursue legitimate legal avenues on appeal.
"We are shocked that Canada's Minister of the Environment should take such a precipitous step before our legal appeal could be heard in court," Benga CEO John Wallington said in the release.
"By ignoring Benga's legitimate request that he hold his decision in abeyance whilst the legal appeal process runs its course, the minister has ridden roughshod over the legal rights of Benga, Piikani Nation and Stoney Nakoda Nations.
"The minister's actions may have far-reaching implications beyond any one project, and sends a strong message to potential investors that Canada's regulatory regime is uncertain."
Wilkinson said in the news release last week that the project would have likely caused harm to surface water quality, to species including the threatened westslope cutthroat trout and endangered whitebark pine trees, and to the physical and cultural heritage of the Kainai, Piikani and Siksika First Nations.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 10, 2021.
The Canadian Press
Meet the Australian Companies Behind the Grassy Mountain ...
2020-11-30 · If Benga went bankrupt, its limited liability status protects Hancock. If Benga still exists when the mine ceases production, Albertans have to hope it will have posted adequate money, or equivalent security, to fund reclamation and long-term monitoring activities under the Mine
Australia refuses to commit to net zero emission in next 30 years
Reacting to UN warning on climate changes, prime minister says he ‘will not sign blank check’ on behalf of Australians
The Australian prime minister on Tuesday refused to commit to the UN target of net zero emissions by 2050.
Speaking to reporters, Scott Morrison said: "I won't be signing a blank cheque on behalf of Australians to targets without plans."
“Australians deserve to know the implications and the costs and what the plans are," Morrison added.
On Monday, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that over the next 20 years, the global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius.
A report by the IPCC experts projected that in the coming decades climate changes will increase in all regions, saying for 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming, there will be increasing heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons.
“At 2°C of global warming, heat extremes would more often reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health,” the report added.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Working Group's report was nothing less than "a code red for humanity. The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable".
He added that ahead of the Glasgow climate conference in November, all nations – especially the advanced G20 economies – needed to join the net zero emissions coalition, and reinforce their promises on slowing down and reversing global heating, "with credible, concrete, and enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)" that lay out detailed steps.
However, the Australian prime minister said he will set out a clear plan that his citizens deserve to know.
Reacting to UN warning on climate changes, prime minister says he ‘will not sign blank check’ on behalf of Australians
Islam Uddin |10.08.2021
*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid
ANKARAThe Australian prime minister on Tuesday refused to commit to the UN target of net zero emissions by 2050.
Speaking to reporters, Scott Morrison said: "I won't be signing a blank cheque on behalf of Australians to targets without plans."
“Australians deserve to know the implications and the costs and what the plans are," Morrison added.
On Monday, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that over the next 20 years, the global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius.
A report by the IPCC experts projected that in the coming decades climate changes will increase in all regions, saying for 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming, there will be increasing heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons.
“At 2°C of global warming, heat extremes would more often reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health,” the report added.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Working Group's report was nothing less than "a code red for humanity. The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable".
He added that ahead of the Glasgow climate conference in November, all nations – especially the advanced G20 economies – needed to join the net zero emissions coalition, and reinforce their promises on slowing down and reversing global heating, "with credible, concrete, and enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)" that lay out detailed steps.
However, the Australian prime minister said he will set out a clear plan that his citizens deserve to know.
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