Ottawa to conduct environmental reviews of new coal projects that could release selenium

The federal government will step in to conduct an environmental review of any new coal project that could possibly release the contaminant selenium.

The decision, announced Wednesday, will capture any proposals that emerge from the eight steelmaking coal exploration projects in Alberta's Rocky Mountain foothills, said Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson.

"For those projects that do have the potential to release selenium into waterbodies, I will be designating all such projects going forward for a federal review and assessment," he said.

"I think most Albertans would expect an issue like selenium and its impacts on watercourses and fish to be assessed."

Alberta's coal controversy

Coal mining has been controversial in Alberta for more than a year, since the province's United Conservative government revoked a 1976 policy that protected the eastern slopes of the Rockies from open-pit coal mines.

Several First Nations, as well as municipalities and many Albertans, have asked the federal minister to step in.

Environmental groups consider federal reviews to be more rigorous than their provincial counterparts and offer more chances for public input.

Selenium is common in coal-bearing rocks and is found throughout Alberta's coal beds.

In large doses it is toxic to fish and is difficult to manage once it gets into groundwater. It has caused major problems in British Columbia's Elk Valley.

Concerns over fish habitat

Some coal projects, such as Teck Resource's Elk Valley expansion plans, already face federal review. Wilkinson said the new policy will apply to any new mine, regardless of size.

He said selenium's effects on fish justify federal involvement.

"It needs to be considered in terms of its effects on fish and fish habitat, which are areas of federal jurisdiction. So it's appropriate for the federal government to say, 'This needs a review."'

Several coal mining companies active in Alberta have told investors that the federal regulator previously informed them they weren't big enough to trigger its involvement.

"I don't think the Impact Assessment Agency told them that," said Wilkinson.

Final decisions on any review aren't made until a company makes a formal proposal, he said.

"It's only at that point you can assess whether it will actually be big enough or have significant enough potential impacts to meet that threshold."

• Contaminant from coal mines already high in some Alberta rivers: unreported data

Wilkinson announced the decision in an open letter to Edmonton NDP MP Heather McPherson, who asked him in March for a regional environmental assessment of coal mining in the Rockies. She backed up her request with an 18,000-name petition.

She also tabled a bill that would change legislation to bring Ottawa in on any coal mine review.

Wilkinson said he decided against a regional review because they take years to complete.

Federal reviews are conducted under legislated timelines and shouldn't add lengthy approval delays, Wilkinson said. They are also able to consider cumulative effects of multiple developments.

Wilkinson said the new policy gives industry more certainty about what projects will be assessed and how they will be examined.

"It's not about saying no to all projects. It's about ensuring we are assessing and thinking about how best to ensure these projects are done in an environmentally sustainable way."

• Study warns Alberta has failed to consider damage to foothills from coal mining

Last week, Wilkinson released a policy on coal for power generation that all but shut the door on the new mines. Thermal coal is the world's largest source of greenhouse gases.

The federal government is also preparing new regulations for coal mine effluent, including selenium. Wilkinson said those are likely coming in the fall.

Earlier this year, after heavy public outcry, Alberta restored the protections of its 1976 policy, paused the sale of new exploration leases and suspended permits for site-clearing, road-building and drilling. It also formed a panel to hear from people on the issue, which is expected to report in November.