A draft map from the Alberta government shows new wind farms will be forbidden from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains to as far east as Calgary. But other uses of land are chugging along in those areas.
First there was last summer’s moratorium on new renewable energy projects, which slammed the brakes on billions of dollars in investment. Then there was the back and forth about who actually asked for the moratorium — with Alberta reporter Drew Anderson unearthing a series of documents poking holes in the government’s (shaky) narrative.
Premier Danielle Smith’s government said it would use the “pause” for an inquiry into the impacts of renewables in the province.
It’s worth taking a step back to say, yes, renewable energy is happening fast here. And, yes, there are questions. On fertile soil, is a solar farm the best use? What happens when a company decides it’s done with a wind farm?
But as critics of the government’s moratorium have pointed out, there are similar questions about all sorts of industries in the province (cough, oil and gas) and those industries aren’t facing a “pause.”
Then, in February, the government shocked Albertans again, announcing it would establish 35-kilometre buffer zones around protected areas and “pristine viewscapes” — something one minister described as “unobstructed, natural landscapes.”
Those buffer zones would prevent any new wind farms.
Cue more questions. Wouldn’t a 35-kilometre buffer zone around protected areas cover most of the province? What the heck is a pristine viewscape? And are there any “unobstructed, natural landscapes” left anymore?
As Drew reports, we got (a tiny bit) more clarity when the government released a draft map, showing new wind farms will be forbidden from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains to as far east as Calgary.
Some call it hypocrisy. The Alberta Utilities Commission, in its report as part of the government-ordered inquiry into renewable energy development, said itself that any prohibition to “achieve viewscape protection” should be “industry agnostic” and “apply to all forms of development within the restricted zone.”
Other uses of land are chugging along in the wind power no-go zones. Check out Drew’s latest explainer to see examples of things Alberta is still doing in those landscapes. Let’s just say they’re not exactly pretty.
Take care and stay agnostic about your industries,
As a Narwhal reader, you know we regularly report on stories that deeply impact the lives of Indigenous communities. We’re dedicated to showing how assertions of sovereignty and age-old land stewardship protect the natural world. We’re also there to document how these communities are grappling with the ongoing impacts of climate change, natural resource development and environmental racism.
We’d love to hear from any First Nations, Inuit or Métis photographer based in so-called Ontario who has a story they’ve been hoping to share about the natural world. Maybe that’s you — or someone you know?
One of the coolest things about the selections? They all showcase the potential of teamwork — all three nominations recognize partnerships with other media outlets and freelance journalists.
Northwest B.C. reporter Matt Simmons teamed up with IndigiNews editor Cara McKenna and photojournalist Marty Clemens for a feature on the rematriation of a stolen totem pole to the Nisg̱a’a Nation. Their work was recognized with a nomination in the arts and entertainment category.
Our dogged work reporting on the Greenbelt saga in Ontario earned a nomination alongside our friends at the Toronto Star for sustained news coverage.
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In the lasting aftermath of the Nathan E. Stewart spill off coastal B.C., Heiltsuk leaders embark on a mission to reshape maritime law, advocating for recognition of cultural losses and justice for their community
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A draft map from the Alberta government shows new wind farms will be forbidden from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains to as far east as Calgary. But other uses of land are chugging along in those areas.
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