NDP names leader of coal power transition; Hanna mayor reacts

The Alberta Government has announced who will lead the high-profile transition from coal power to green energy and one mayor of a town that relies on the industry hopes talks with the province will go better.

The NDP announced Wednesday that Terry Boston, the former head of North America’s biggest power grid, will lead the endeavour, as 18 of Alberta’s plants are expected to shut down by 2030, while six will continue past that date.

Economic Development Minister Deron Bilous said Boston will make sure the transition works.

“We are seeking a fair process with companies because there are massive investments at stake and we have a duty to protect Alberta taxpayers,” Bilous said.

But the mayor of one of the towns that will be directly affected by the transition said he’d like to see better contact with the government.

“The communication has been okay, I wouldn’t say it’s been good,” Hanna Mayor Chris Warwick said, adding Bilous had indicated once that announcement was made that there would be new meetings in the spring. “I’d like the ministry for sure to come out to our community and just see how it works.”

Hanna is home to the Sheerness Generating System, a crucial part of the town’s economy and identity.

Warwick, a business owner himself, said if the transition isn’t done correctly, it could have disastrous implications.

“The effects of this are not just simply that we lose a couple of hundred employees,” he said. “If we lose 10 per cent of our population, there’s a good chance I lose 10 per cent of my sales, which also would be probably 10 per cent less employees and it just has a really negative effect, less students in our schools as well if people have to leave.”

Boston’s resume is extensive, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award last year from Platts Global Energy, serving as president and CEO of PJM Interconnection for seven years, while also working as executive vice-president of the largest U.S. public power provider.

He also has provided advice to the White House and U.S. Congress and Warwick said it’s critical to have someone who knows what they’re doing.

“It’s really important that there’s somebody who is knowledgeable about electric systems, because it’s not a simple system to understand,” he said.

The Hanna facility is one of the ones slated to operate past the 2030 date.

“Slow and steady is definitely something that we’re looking forward to, not a shutdown much sooner than anticipated, that’s our major concern,” he said, adding there’s additional concern about the upcoming carbon emissions levy.