Something smells fishy…selenium fishy!
This blog is written by me and is my express opinion as a resident of Alberta.
It’s absurd, ridiculous, unimaginable!
How could a governmental organization, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) that is tasked to ensure energy and mineral development is done in a “safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible”[1] way make such a blatant and extremely irresponsible mistake?
Well, it wasn’t the organization! It was the CEO of the regulator (Rob Morgan)[2] that made a unilateral, and precedent-setting decision. He ignored the evidence, and the repeated decisions of his staff (the hearing commissioners) and overturned months of diligent work by them, as well as by the environmental conservation groups[3]. He cancelled the hearing that would allow Alberta Wilderness Association and CPAWS Northern Alberta to have their day in court, fighting for nature.
The CEO of the Alberta Energy Regulator has done the unthinkable. I could not believe it when the coal company inferred that everyone[4] in Grande Cache supports their mine. I was astounded when the CEO took at face value that all limited participants supporting the mine, implied that everyone in the community supports the project, while disregarding the tens of thousands of supporters of the ENGOs[5] that do not want another coal mine and the significant risks associated with it. Those same people that support the mine now, will likely be the first to reach out to ENGOs for help if there is a disaster.[6]
I feel bad for the ecosystems and the wildlife that get no say!
Why would said coal company appeal to the Minister of Energy[7] and then the CEO of the regulator[8] instead of following the process?[9] Did they believe that they would somehow get a favourable outcome from the CEO?
Something smells fishy…selenium fishy![10] ≋≋🤢◦.ೃ࿔:･
Firstly, the CEO states that his decision is a precedent.[11] His decision was made just 15 calendar days after receiving the request from Summit. I guess that was sufficient time to read the thousands of pages of documents and verify everything Summit Coal said in their motion. Why do we have staff at AER if he can do that? This decision not only implies that as CEO he has no respect for and confidence in his staff (the panel of hearing commissioners), but because “the Board has authorized the CEO to carry out any power, duty or function of the AER”,[12] that he feels that gives him the sole right to overstep the entire process.
Why would any industry go through the process set out under the Responsible Energy Development Act[13] if they can whine to the former oil & gas executive – now CEO of AER, and get the entire process thrown out?
This is UNBELIEVABLE! I hope all Albertans take note and share their absolute disdain for this decision.
[1] https://www.aer.ca/understanding-resource-development/enerfaqs-and-fact-sheets/enerfaqs-what-is-the-aer
[2] https://www.aer.ca/about-aer/governance/executives
[3] Alberta Wilderness Association and CPAWS Northern Alberta
[4] “(the "Project") has earned the support of the MD of Greenview, six (6) Indigenous communities, and every local resident and business that has expressed a view to the Alberta Energy Regulator” letter dated July 28, 2025 sent from Summit to Minister Brian Jean, and motion for reconsideration sent to the CEO, dated August 6, 2025.
[5] ENGO – environmental non-governmental organisation
[6] Canada’s Deadliest Mining Disaster - https://history.alberta.ca/energyheritage/coal/triumphs-and-tragedies-1914-1930/canadas-deadliest-mining-disaster.aspx
[7] https://albertawilderness.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/20250729_lt_summit_coal_inc_to_minister_energy_minerals_re_aer_proceeding_449_complaints.pdf
[8] https://albertawilderness.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250806_lt_summit_motion_to_CEO.pdf
[9] Regulatory Appeal Process - https://www.aer.ca/applications-and-notices/regulatory-appeal-process
[10] Md Helal Uddin, Jinnath Rehana Ritu, Sravan Kumar Putnala, Mahesh Rachamalla, Douglas P. Chivers, Som Niyogi (2024) Selenium toxicity in fishes: A current perspective, Chemosphere, Volume 364, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143214.
Matthew Scace (2025) Alberta's old coal mines contaminating rivers and endangering fish, study finds. The Canadian Press. Posted online August 1, 2025. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alta-coal-mines-1.7599449
[11] Letter from the CEO of AER dated August 21, 2025 https://albertawilderness.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250821_lt_aer_ceo_reconsideration_decision.pdf
[12] Ibid, p. 2
