Conserving Our Special Places

October News Updates

Grassy Mountain Seeks New Exploration Permits

After Northback’s original application was turned down in 2021 by both the Province of Alberta and the Federal Government, they appealed the decision with claims that they were an active coal project, and applied again to the Alberta Energy Regulator for permission to drill exploratory wells on their property.    The AER, on advice from the Minister of Energy, agreed to hear their proposal, and the AER has decided to go ahead with their hearing on the exploration permit. 

Hearings for approved Limited Participants, which includes some of our members, will be held to allow for written or verbal submissions to be heard.  These will be held  in Pincher at the Pincher Creek Community Hall, 287 Canyon Drive, on December 3and 4th, 2024.    The hearings are open to the public, and we encourage attendance if at all possible to ensure that the AER is aware of the importance of this issue to our members and supporters. 

LLG will not be presenting at these initial hearings.  LLG is one of 8 individuals or organizations that have been granted Full Participation status by the AER, and this hearing is scheduled to begin in the January 2025 time period. Dates have not yet been confirmed.

Northback Holdings Limited (formerly Benga Mining) has applied to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) for approval to conduct a new coal exploration program, a deep drilling permit and a Water Act temporary diversion license. LLG is very concerned these applications are being considered given the provincial government’s committment last year that no new applications would be accepted for coal exploration or development on lands covered by the reinstated coal policy. LLG has filed a formal Statement of Concern with the AER.

TransAlta partners with Montem Resources on Pumped Hydro project

February 16, 2023

TransAlta Corporation announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a 50% interest in the Tent Mountain Renewable Energy Complex ), an early-stage 320 MW pumped hydro energy storage development project, located in southwest Alberta, currently owned by Montem Resources Limited. TransAlta and Montem will form a partnership and jointly manage the Project, with TransAlta acting as project developer.  See here for announcement.