Coal industry says miners, towns will suffer when mines close

The president of the Coal Association of Canada saysAlberta's plan to phase out coal-fired power plants by 2030 willthrow people out of work, hurt rural communities and undermineindustries by boosting electricity costs.

Robin Campbell said the NDP government should instead invest innew technologies to help retrofit the plants so they can continue toburn coal, but with less pollution.

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"We think the government should be investing in new technologyand research to do a better job of reducing emissions," Campbellsaid.

"Making sure that we don't lose our competitive advantage whenit comes to our other industries in the province that depend onelectricity."

Campbell said the government could use money from Alberta'sClimate Change and Emissions Management Fund, which large industrialcompanies pay into when they can't meet their greenhouse gasreduction targets.

Along with the coal companies, about 3,000 miners as well asrural communities such as Hanna, Forestburg, Battle River,Wainwright, Wabamun and Keephills would be affected by the plantshutdowns, he warned.

"There is a lot of uncertainty out there and people aredefinitely concerned about their livelihoods and their families and
their homes," said Campbell, a former Alberta ProgressiveConservative finance and environment minister.

Before he got into politics Campbell worked for the United MineWorkers of America union.

Alberta's climate change strategy includes introducing abroad-based carbon tax that would apply across the economy andphasing out coal-fired power generation.

These plants produce more than half of Alberta's power. Butenvironmental experts note that they also produce about one-third ofall the sulphur dioxide released in the province.

Campbell said the industry is willing to do its part.

But he said it doesn't make sense for the government to turn itsback on a power source that helps provide an affordable, stableelectricity supply to the province.

He pointed to Ontario, where electricity prices spiked after thegovernment moved to retire coal generation.

The NDP government has said it has appointed a negotiator to helpbroker the orderly phase out of the plants that will be fair to theworkers, the communities and the companies.

Details of the plan have not been released.

Campbell said everyone that is to be affected by the phase outplan is eager for more information.

"People are concerned about this. They haven't seen a plan."