Notice of Application
Applications:
Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act – 016-00011187;
Water Act – 009-00240557 and 009-00079264; and
Coal Conservation Act – 1949476, 1949477, 1949478, and 1949479
TransAlta Corporation
Highvale Mine (Mine No. 1769)
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has received Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) application 016-00011187, Water Act (WA) applications 009-00240557 and 009-00079264 and Coal Conservation Act (CCA) applications 1949476, 1949477, 1949478, and 1949479 from TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta) related to the closure, decommissioning and reclamation of the Highvale Mine (Mine No. 1769).
The AER is reviewing the applications together with the supporting documents.
This notice also sets out the deadline for filing a statement of concern on these applications. See the section below How to File a Statement of Concern.
Description of the Applications
TransAlta has applied for the Highvale Mine No. 1769:
- To amend and renew EPEA Approval No. 00011187-03-00, as amended, to change from an operating approval to a reclamation and closure approval;
- To renew WA Approval Nos. 00240557-01-00, as amended, and 00079264-01-00, and to approve amended plans for the decommissioning of regulated dams, restoration of watersheds, establishment of sustainable end pit lakes and closure wetlands, and recovery of groundwater levels;
- Under the CCA and Coal Conservation Rules (CCR) to:
- Renew the active pit Licences for Pit 05 (C 2016-6, C 2016-6A, and C 2016-6B) and Pit 06 (C 2016-7 and C 2016-7A) for ash excavation;
- Consent to abandon existing coal mine Licences C 2016-4 and C 2016-4A (for Pit 03), C 2016-5 (for Pit 04), C 2016-8 (for Pit 07 ), C 2016-9 and C 2016-9A (for Pit 08), and C 2015-4 (for Pit 09);
- Consent to abandon existing external dump Licenses C 2015-5(for the Pit 09 external dump), C 93-30(the east external discard dump), and C 93-29 (the west external discard dump); and
- Amend the Mine Permit C 88-8 to remove the undisturbed 900 ha around Pit 09.
Active coal mining at Highvale Mine ceased at the end of December 2021 and the Highvale Mine plans to have active reclamation completed by 2046. The applications reflect the change in mine plans as the decision to close the Highvale Mine earlier than the originally planned closure date of 2061 has been made due to the transition from coal based electrical generation to natural gas based generation.
The Highvale Mine is located in portions of Townships 050, 051 and 052, Ranges 03, 04 and 05, West of the 5th Meridian, near Wabamun, Alberta, as detailed in the application materials.
For a copy of the applications, contact
TransAlta Corporation – Highvale Mine
RR1 Site 3 Box B
Duffield, Alberta
T0E 0N0
Location: 4419B Sundance Road
Parkland County, Alberta
Attention: Brandon Stewart
Telephone: 587-763-5367
E-mail: brandon_stewart@transalta.com
To view the applications and supporting documents, use the Integrated Application Registry query tool and available under Systems & Tools on the AER website, www.aer.ca. To receive a copy of the application and supporting documents, submit an information request, as outlined at www1.aer.ca/ProductCatalogue/ordering.html, to
AER Information Distribution Services
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Telephone: 1-855-297-8311 (toll free; option 0)
Fax: 403-297-7040
Email: InformationRequest@aer.ca
Refer to this notice when requesting information for a faster response.
Requirement to File a Statement of Concern
If you have concerns with these applications, you must file a statement of concern as described below. If you do not file a statement of concern, the AER may approve the applications without further notification.
How to File a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must be filed by 11:59 p.m. on the filing date below. Send one copy of your statement of concern to Summit Coal Inc. at the name and address above and one copy either online via the AER’s web-based form or by mail or email:
Mail or email:
Regulatory Applications
Alberta Energy Regulator
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Fax: 403-297-7336
Email: SOC@aer.ca
| Monday, January 15, 2024 | Final date to file a statement of concern. |
Contents of a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must include
- why you believe you may be directly and adversely affected by a decision of the AER on the application;
- the nature of your objection to the application;
- the outcome of the application you advocate;
- the location of your land, residence, or activity in relation to the location of the energy resource that is the subject of the application; and
- your contact information, including your name, address in Alberta, telephone number, and email address or, if you do not have an email address, your fax number.
The AER also requests that you include the application number in your statement of concern.
Confidentiality
Section 49 of the Alberta Energy Regulator Rules of Practice (Rules of Practice) requires that all documents and information filed in a proceeding be placed on the public record. If you file a submission, you must not include any personal information that you do not want to appear on or are not authorized to put on the public record. Section 49(2) of the Rules of Practice states how to apply to the AER for an order to keep information confidential. The Rules of Practice is available on the AER website at www.aer.ca.
Jurisdiction
Submissions relating exclusively to compensation for land use are not dealt with by the AER and should be referred to the Land and Property Rights Tribunal (formerly the Surface Rights Board).
Under section 21 of the Responsible Energy Development Act, the AER does not have the jurisdiction to assess the adequacy of Crown consultation associated with the rights of aboriginal peoples as recognized and affirmed under the Constitution Act, 1982.
For information on AER procedures, contact the regulatory applications specialist, Doug Koroluk, by phone at 403-297-6306 or by email to doug.koroluk@aer.ca.
Issued at Calgary, Alberta, on December 14, 2023.
ALBERTA ENERGY REGULATOR
