Tell Premier Stelmach Coal Kills

As the world grapples with climate change, the Alberta government is poised to grant approval to a new coal-fired power plant without even holding a public hearing.

Maxim Power Corporation’s plan to build a 500-megawatt plant near Grande Cache, Alberta will generate three million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year (the equivalent of adding 590,000 vehicles to the road over its 45-year lifespan).

Coal carries a heavy burden. Each stage in the life cycle of coal -- including extraction, transport, processing, and combustion -- generates multiple hazards for health and the environment.

Even the oil giant EnCana said it’s bad idea.

The proposed coal-fired plant defies the Alberta Government’s own 2008 Climate Change Strategy, which includes a 2020 goal to stabilize GHG emissions and begin making absolute emission reductions. The reality is no serious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can involve the construction of new coal-fired plants.

Help us stop this major new source of air pollution before it starts.

Tell Premier Stelmach to kill Maxim Power Corporation’s plan to build a new 500-megawatt coal-fired plant.

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dear Premier Stelmach,

I am strongly opposed to Maxim Power Corporation’s plan to build a 500-megawatt coal-fired plant near Grande Cache, Alberta. The plant would generate three million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year (the equivalent of adding 590,000 vehicles to the road over its 45-year lifespan).

As the world grapples with climate change, why is your government poised to grant approval to a new coal-fired power plant when Alberta doesn’t need it to meet its energy demands? Even EnCana said it’s a bad idea.

The planned project defies your government’s 2008 Climate Change Strategy, which includes a 2020 goal to stabilize GHG emissions and begin making absolute emission reductions. You cannot reduce Alberta's greenhouse gas emissions while constructing new coal-fired plants Mr. Premier.

Mr. Premier, coal plants aren’t just bad for human health and the environment – they’re bad economics. I hope you are aware of a new Harvard study which shows the true ecological and health costs of coal are thus far greater than the numbers suggest. Accounting for the many external costs doubles to triples the price of coal per kilo Watt hour (kWh) of electricity generated.

I am also very disappointed that your government has chosen not to hold public hearings. What happened to the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA) approach, adopted and employed by your government to deal with air quality? It attempted to be open, inclusive and transparent. It included the public and was made up of stakeholders representing all sectors of society. I'm wondering why your government has shunned the public and abandoned the creation of a consultative approach.

I ask you to stop this planned project. The last thing Alberta, Canada and the world need is another major source of air pollution.

Don't leave a legacy of dirty energy Mr. Premier.

Sincerely,

Premier Ed Stelmach

307 Legislature Bldg
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
CA

Phone:(780) 427-2251

Fax:(780) 427-1349

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Alberta Utilities Commission

Tell Premier Stelmach Coal Kills

Premier Ed Stelmach

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