Coal power legal challenge dismissed by Saskatchewan court

Environmental groups are disappointed after court rejects legal challenge to extend coal plant shutdown past 2030.

A Saskatchewan court has dismissed a legal challenge launched by a group of citizens and environmental advocates over the provincial government’s plans to extend the life of coal power generation.

The Saskatchewan government announced in June it would extend the lifetimes of coal plants as a ‘bridge’ to nuclear baseload power generation. Under the extension, they could remain in operation until as late as 2050, despite a federal shutdown mandate on coal in 2030.

The 2050 benchmark is also when Saskatchewan plans to reach a goal of operating a net-zero power grid.

• Saskatchewan unveils long-term energy plan with focus on nuclear

In the following months, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) and Citizens for Justice launched a legal challenge over the plan.

According to SES, the Court of King’s Bench reached a decision to dismiss the challenge on Monday on “procedural grounds.”

“The Court did not assess evidence or decide whether extending coal-fired power generation is lawful, justified, or in the public interest, but instead ruled that such questions are not for the courts to determine,” SES said in a news release issued Wednesday.

The release goes on to say the ruling does not change the scientific facts about coal pollution or the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Canada.

“Saskatchewan deserves an energy future rooted in science, responsibility, and care for the people who live here. The Saskatchewan Environmental Society will continue to advocate for evidence-based decisions in Saskatchewan’s electricity sector,” SES said.

SaskPower currently operates three coal power plants: the Boundary Dam and Shand Power Stations near Estevan, and the Poplar River Power Station near Coronach.

Saskatchewan’s recommitment to coal power has garnered attention from one U.S.-based coal company.

Earlier this month, Westmoreland Mining hired a former Sask. Party chief of staff to lobby his previous employer on behalf of the company.

Westmoreland operates two mines in the province: one near Coronach which primarily supplies the nearby Poplar River Power Station, and another near Estevan that supplies coal to the Shand Generating Station and the Boundary Dam.

According to the Jan. 5 lobbying registry, Graham Stewart — who served as deputy chief of staff for Premier Scott Moe, among other high-ranking provincial ministerial roles — will be responsible for engaging the province “regarding coal-fired power generation and coal-supply in Saskatchewan.”

According to public data from SaskPower, on Jan. 13, coal power accounted for 22 per cent of Saskatchewan’s net power generation. Natural gas provided the most baseload power at 1,313 megawatts, while wind power was third at 20 per cent, with 520 megawatts.

“If renewable generation like hydro, wind and solar aren’t available, we may rely more on coal and natural gas power facilities,” SaskPower said.

The sources provided by SaskPower change daily based on factors like weather, supply and demand and are considered a snapshot of an average 24-hour period.

RELATED STORIES

• Award-winning study explores economic options for coal-reliant communities in southern Sask.
• Sask. investing additional $10M to help coal reliant communities transition through federal phase out