OTTAWA — NICHOLE DUSYK, SENIOR ANALYST, at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the publication of the Strategic Assessment of Climate Change: Read more about Guidelines to assess climate impacts of major projects fall short
On July 9th, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) denied Horn Ridge Resources Ltd.’s application to explore for coal in the Kakwa wilderness, west of Grande Cache.
AWA commends the AER for refusing this application as it poses a significant risk to valued wildlife populations and the ecological integrity of sensitive alpine and sub-alpine landscapes. Read more about Alberta Energy Regulator Rules that Coal and Wildlife Don’t Mix
Calgary, Alberta – The Calgary Climate Hub this week launched a campaign to get Calgary’s electricity utility, ENMAX Corporation, to go net zero emissions by 2050.
“As we work towards economic recovery and diversification, more companies are demanding decisive action on climate,” said Dr. Joe Vipond, Co-chair of the Calgary Climate Hub. “Having our electricity generation net-zero would send a clear signal that Calgary is serious about the climate crisis and entering the green economy.” Read more about Calgary Climate Hub Wants ENMAX to go Net Zero by 2050
Edmonton – 17 of the 20 parks that were slated for closure at the beginning of this summer, will temporarily be operated this camping season, according to the Alberta Parks COVID 19 response page which was quietly updated last week. This is an important step in the right direction that demonstrates that the voices of Albertans, saying how much they value Alberta Parks, are making a difference. Read more about Albertans always care about their parks, not just during a pandemic
Edmonton – A new bill was proposed by the provincial government on June 11, 2020, which takes aim at removing “red tape” to reduce costs, speed up approvals, and eliminate regulations the government deems unnecessary. The new Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, 2020, was proposed by the provincial government on June 11, 2020. The omnibus bill includes 14 changes across six ministries that would affect land use activities within our protected parks, oil sands project approvals, and energy efficiency–among other concerning environmental issues. Read more about New Bill 22 proposes changes to series of environmental tools in the name of “red tape reduction”
Edmonton – The following letter was submitted on behalf of a joint group including: Fort Chipewyan Métis Association, Northwest Territory Métis Nation, Smith’s Landing First Nation, the Hamlet of Fort Resolution, Keepers of the Athabasca Watershed Society Organization, Alberta Wilderness Association, CPAWS Northern Alberta, CPAWS Northwest Territories, Ecology North, Alternatives North, and Council of Canadians – Edmonton and Northwest Territories Chapters. The letter to the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change outlines the substantial risks to downstream communities and ecosystems due to the Alberta Energy Regulator’s decision to suspend environmental monitoring for oil & gas projects. The health of Wood Buffalo National Park and the success of its federal Action Plan is undermined by these suspensions. Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada’s largest national park, and continued ecological degradation would be grounds to list as a World Heritage Site “in Danger”.
Download the full letter on the CPAWS website Read more about Groups across Alberta and the Northwest Territories warn the federal government of impacts of monitoring suspensions on Wood Buffalo National Park
Edmonton – The following letter was submitted on behalf of a joint group including the Pembina Institute, Alberta Wilderness Association, Smith’s Landing First Nation, CPAWS Northern Alberta, Mikisew Cree First Nation, Fort Chipewyan Metis Association and the Environmental Law Centre. The letter addresses the unilateral decisions to suspend oil and gas environmental monitoring and reporting and requests immediate reinstatement.
Download the letter from the CPAWS website Read more about Joint letter calls for the immediate reinstatement of environmental monitoring of oil and gas projects in Alberta
Edmonton – On May 15, 2020 the Government of Alberta announced that they were rescinding A Coal Development Policy for Alberta (Coal Policy) which has provided sweeping environmental protections for coal development since the 1970’s. This has raised concerns about how this will impact Alberta’s treasured mountains and foothills along the eastern slopes of the Rockies. Read more about Alberta Coal Policy scrapped, making open-pit coal mining more accessible than ever along the eastern slopes of the Rockies
