Northback Holdings

Cancer-causing chemicals are being blown downwind from coal mines in southern British Columbia in concentrations that rival those next to oilsand mines, newly published research has concluded.

In February, Energy Minister Brian Jean wrote a letter to the Alberta Energy Regulator suggesting three coal exploration applications for the province's Rocky Mountains should be exempt from a government order banning such development.

An Alberta ranching community is fighting a planned hearing on proposed coal exploration in the Rocky Mountains, saying the province's arm's-length energy regulator shouldn't have heeded a letter from its energy minister suggesting an application from Northback Holdings be accepted.

Alberta's New Democrat Opposition is asking the provincial government to step in and quash applications for coal mining exploration in the Rocky Mountains.