Environmental group raises concern about flooding at Alberta coal mines
Posted Jun 23, 2023 3:50 pm.
An environmental group is calling for improvements after Alberta’s energy regulator announced heavy rain had caused flooding and excessive surface runoff at energy sites, including coal mines.
The Alberta Energy Regulator posted on its website earlier this week that some coal mines in the Hinton and Grande Cache areas reported wastewater being discharged into the environment.
Heavy rain in parts of Alberta is causing flooding and surface runoff at some energy production sites. There have been no reported impacts to public safety. We are monitoring the situation and will work with operators to address impacts as they occur. https://t.co/yP53TalFnz pic.twitter.com/WHG491Y5OW
— Alberta Energy Regulator (@AER_news) June 20, 2023
It says the mixture of surface runoff and sediment was above approved water-quality limits and from unauthorized sources.
The regulator says there were no reported public safety issues and it’s monitoring the situation.
Gillian Chow-Fraser, with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, says she would like to see more details on the environmental effects.
She says wastewater from coal and oilsands mines can be harmful to wildlife, water quality and downstream communities.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 23, 2023.
