The AUC has recently approved a new 500 MW coal plant at the H.R. Milner plant for Maxim Power. That is bad enough as it is, but when you add on the fact that the AUC specifically fast tracked the approval process in order guarantee exemption from new Federal coal plant emissions regulations. The new federal regulations will exempt any new power plant from the emissions standards as long as it is commissioned before July 2015.
Its fine that we need power and that some of it will have to come from dirty sources for now, however at least make them follow the regulations. Lets not give Maxim Power free reign to be exempt from protecting regulations for the average joe. These regulations ensure that everyone has at least some form of protection against dirty air. These regulations are at least a step in the right direction, and Alberta cannot even force a company to adhere to them. What for? For a lousy few bucks, what about the millions of dollars of money that will have to be spent on medical care for those living and breathing the poor air quality.
This new regulation will not even apply to Ontario, you want to know why? Ontario is shutting down all of their coal plants. So what does Alberta do? We do business as usual and pander to the dirty industry billionaires seeking billions more. This is very disappointing news, please get the word out. Its time that we start moving forward and start investing in renewable energies and the health of Albertans.
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