Coal plant phase-out should be slowed, mayors and reeves say

An open letter from the reeves and mayors of 30 Alberta rural municipalities says the NDP's plan to quickly phase-out coal-fired electricity generation plants will hurt the economy.

"For many businesses throughout the province, the prospect of rapidly-rising electricity costs in the face of uncertainty and a prolonged economic downturn may be an untimely trade-off," the letter says.

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"We recognize and support the need for progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions; however, we feel a balanced and phased transition would have far less impact on the livelihoods of thousands of Albertans and their families."

The signatories to the letter include the towns of Grand Cache, Hinton, Hanna, Morinville and Wainwright and the counties of Yellowhead, Barrhead, Brazeau and Leduc.

The municipalities state they are worried about a loss of taxes paid to them by the electricity sector.

The letter comes after Premier Rachel Notley said last week that her government plans to accelerate the decommissioning of coal-fired power plants.

When asked about the letter Wednesday, Environment Minister Shannon Phillips said the government has to take action because the burning of coal harms the air and causes health problems.

"There are things that we must do on coal, but we will do them carefully and thoughtfully and the issue of the impact on communities is forefront on our minds and is part of our package," she said.

Phillips met with federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna on Wednesday. She said announcements on Alberta's climate change policy are coming soon.