After three days of contentious hearings, punctuated by large and noisy opposition rallies, the fate of Northback Holding’s proposal to explore for coal in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains now hinges on a decision from the Alberta Energy Regulator.
The Australian-owned company’s proposal has triggered condemnation from a wide cross-section of Albertans concerned about the environmental and health effects on the Old Man River and downstream communities, including ranchers, landowners, some First Nation members and environmentalists.
The first round of hearings into the project– which would be located just north of Blairmore, in the Crowsnest Pass — took place in Pincher Creek in early December 2024.
Story continues below advertisement
The second round of hearings, which began on Tuesday, wrapped up on Thursday at the AER offices in Calgary.
Carrying signs with such slogans as “protect our children’s heritage” and shouting things like “water, no coal,” dozens of protesters gathered outside the …