Joint News Release: Albertans left in the dark on coal company settlements

July 15, 2025

Environmental organizations, community groups, and concerned individuals call for full transparency from the provincial government

July 15, 2025

Since the provincial government lifted the moratorium on coal exploration and development on Jan. 15, 2025, Albertans have been told it was done for their protection from expensive lawsuits¹. Five different companies and their subsidiaries have put cases before the courts, claiming over $15 billion total in damages. Behind closed doors, settlements have already been reached with two companies, and the public doesn’t know what was paid or on what terms.

In defence of rescinding the moratorium, the Premier stated that “if we do nothing, then we are told we’ll likely lose those cases and have to pay” during the coal town hall in Fort Macleod on June 11, 2025². Lawyers have previously pointed out that the provincial government had multiple legal avenues to avoid paying the claims³.

On June 14, 2025, Atrum Coal Ltd. announced to its shareholders that it had reached a settlement with the Government of Alberta⁴. Two days later, Evolve Power Ltd. (formerly Montem Resources Alberta Operations Ltd.) released a similar statement, both of which were absent of any specific details on the agreements⁵.

This information has not been publicly released through official government channels but was first reported in the news on July 3, 2025⁶.

The lack of transparency from the government during these proceedings is unacceptable, particularly following the findings of the Coal Policy Committee which emphasized the need to restore public trust and respect public interest⁷. Albertans have made abundantly clear they are concerned about coal mining in the foothills and Rockies and expect to be informed.

It’s evident that rescinding the moratorium did not protect taxpayers as the government had proposed; the coal companies continued with their claims against the province even as their past coal applications were revived by the Alberta Energy Regulator^8,9,10,11.

If taxpayer money is to be used to settle disputes with these companies, Albertans deserve to know what they are paying for.

We demand the Government of Alberta:

Make the settlement terms and amounts public.
Ensure that the settlements provide for the surrender of Crown coal leases and the transfer of freehold mineral rights to the Crown.
Ensure coal companies address any and all environmental liabilities acquired or assumed by past activities on the landscape.
Establish new protected areas that conserve Alberta’s headwaters and slopes.
Consult meaningfully with Indigenous Nations prior to any policy changes, to ensure no infringement on Treaty rights or impact to traditional territories¹².
Respect public interest and include public input in any future coal policies, including the Coal Industry Modernization Initiative.

“Coal development threatens to pollute the rivers and lakes we count on for drinking water, fishing, and recreation. As physicians, we see firsthand the toll that environmental degradation takes on people’s health, especially in rural, Indigenous, and underserved communities. Keeping the public in the dark undermines both trust and public health.”

— Dr. Claire Barber, Calgary-based rheumatologist and volunteer with the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)

Signed,

Kennedy Halvorson, on behalf of Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA)
Rhiannon Fox, on behalf of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)
Jacqueline Chalmers, on behalf of the Chinook Water*Shed Society.
David Thomas, on behalf of Crowsnest Headwaters
Jenny Yeremiy, on behalf of The Gravity Well
Chris Spearman, on behalf of Water For Food
Kevin Van Tighem, author
Robert Costa, member of Livingstone Landowners Group and Crowsnest Headwaters

For more information, contact:

Kennedy Halvorson
Conservation Specialist, Alberta Wilderness Association, cs1@abwild.ca, (403) 283-2025

Jacqueline Chalmers,
Chair of the Chinook Water*Shed Society, (403) 625-5270

Background references:

The Canadian Press, Smith says taxpayers must be protected from lawsuits as Alberta lifts coal moratorium, January 21, 2025.
The Canadian Press, Alberta premier faces raucous, angry town hall on province’s coal policy, June 11, 2025.
CBC, Alberta coal policy changes trigger joint lawsuit from coal companies, December 23, 2023.
Atrum Coal Ltd., Company Update, June 14, 2025.
Evolve Power Ltd., Company Update, June 16, 2025.
The Canadian Press, Alberta reaches settlement with two coal companies suing over policy flip-flop, July 3, 2025.
Coal Policy Committee, Final report: Recommendations for the management of coal resources in Alberta, December 2021, pg. 8.
AER, Letter to Black Eagle Mining Corporation, January 28, 2025
AER, Letter to Cabin Ridge Project Ltd., January 31, 2025.
AER, Letter to Elan Coal Ltd., January 20, 2025.
AER, Letter to Montem Resources Alberta Operations Ltd., January 31, 2025.
JFK Law, Siksika and Kainai Challenge Alberta’s Recission of Coal Mining Moratorium in the Eastern Slopes, July 4, 2025.