Stop Maxim Power’s sneaky attempt at dodging Canada’s new environmental regulations

Dear Friends,

Environment Minister Peter Kent is about to announce new rules for coal power that will require any new plant to drastically cut its pollution. But the coal industry is trying to cheat, and build a massive coal power plant just before the new rules take effect. Send a message to Minister Kent now to demand Maxim Power play by the rules:

Environment Minister Peter Kent is about to announce new rules for coal power that will require any new plant to drastically cut its pollution. But the coal industry is trying to cheat, and build a massive coal power plant just before the new rules take effect.

Maxim Power’s new coal plant would pump out three million tonnes of pollution per year - which is like adding 600,000 cars to Canada’s roads. It is the only new coal power plant being proposed in Canada, and it’s far more dirty and dangerous than the new rules will allow.
Minister Kent needs to make a choice right now: is he going to keep his own government’s promise to put real limits on coal pollution? Or, will he hand Maxim Coal a free pass to pollute our air and our climate for decades?

Please take a minute to send a message to Environment Minister Kent, calling on him to make Maxim Power play by the rules:
http://www.leadnow.ca/stop-maxim-coal

In June 2010 the federal government promised Canadians they would phase out conventional coal in Canada. Then-Environment Minister Jim Prentice made a clear commitment: “We will guard against any rush to build non-compliant coal plants on the interim.” Yet the coal industry is now doing just that - rushing to break ground to avoid taking responsibility for its pollution.

The coal industry knows there’s no way this plant can meet Canada’s new environmental standards. That’s why they’re trying to sneak in under the wire and lock-in this polluting mega project before the new rules take effect. Alberta’s utilities regulator just fast-tracked approval of the 500 megawatt plant, skipping public consultation completely to help Maxim Power evade the new federal regulations. But expert analysis of Alberta’s power sources shows Alberta does not need any new coal power plants. The province can easily keep the lights on with conservation and smart investments in renewable energy.
Over forty of Canada’s First Nations, environmental, faith, business, and public interest groups just launched a challenge to Minister Kent.

This campaign has widespread support, and now it needs direct people power to back it up. Minister Kent is making his decision now - he needs to hear from Canadians like you:
http://www.leadnow.ca/stop-maxim-coal

With hope and respect,
Matthew, Jamie, Tria, Adam and the whole Leadnow.ca team

p.s. Did you know coal kills over a million people world wide every year, mostly by air pollution, and Ontario has committed to phasing out all of its coal plants by 2014?

Send your message to Environment Minister Kent:
http://www.leadnow.ca/stop-maxim-coal

Sources:
Coal power plant races against regulation (Globe & Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/coal-power-plant-races-against-regulation/article2090435/

Ottawa faces crucial test in the fight against coal (Pembina Institute)
http://www.pembina.org/blog/555

Former Environment Minister Prentice’s commitment to “guard against” non-compliant coal projects (Environment Canada)
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=6F2DE1CA-1&news=BB5AC3DC-837A-406E-AD28-B92ED80F5A81

Green groups appeal Alberta power plant ruling (Reuters)
http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE77206X20110803?sp=true

Alberta Utilities Commission’s decision to fast-track the Maxim project without public consultation
http://www.auc.ab.ca/applications/decisions/Decisions/2011/2011-290.pdf

Greening the Grid - Powering Alberta’s Future with Renewable Energy (Pembina Institute)
http://www.pembina.org/alberta/renewable

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