Factsheet: Why Phase-Out Alberta’s Coal-Fired Power Plants?

This factsheet from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) argues for the phase-out of coal-fired power plants in Alberta, citing their significant contribution to air pollution, mercury emissions, and climate change, and the resulting negative impacts on public health and the economy.

• Alberta has a high reliance on coal for electricity generation, burning nearly twice as much coal as the rest of Canada combined. In 2014, coal generated 68 per cent of the province's electricity. The province operates six coal plants with 18 generators, with individual capacities between 150 MW and 495 MW, totaling over 6,200 MW. Coal capacity grew by 14 per cent between 2002 and 2012.
• Coal plants are a primary source of harmful air pollutants in Alberta. In 2011, these plants emitted 114,511 tonnes of sulphur dioxide (SO2), representing 33 per cent of the province's total; 71,507 tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx), representing 10 per cent; and 1,782 tonnes of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), representing 6 per cent. These pollutants are linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and negative impacts on fetal development and children's brain development.
• The health costs associated with air pollution from Alberta's coal plants are substantial. Using the Illness Cost of Air Pollution (ICAP) model, CAPE and partners estimated that in 2008, coal plant pollution caused more than 100 deaths from long-term exposure, 700 emergency department visits, 80 hospital admissions for heart and lung conditions, and 4,800 asthma symptom days, with a total health impact value of approximately $300 million per year.
• Alberta's coal plants are a major source of mercury and greenhouse gases. In 2011, they emitted 44 per cent of the mercury released from man-made sources in the province, which can accumulate in the aquatic food chain and affect the development of children. In the same year, coal plants were responsible for about 43 megatonnes of greenhouse gases, accounting for 18% of the province's total emissions, a volume nearly equal to all oil sands operations in Alberta combined.
• Climate change driven by emissions is expected to harm Albertans through increased frequency and severity of heat waves, smog, pollen, thunderstorms, hailstorms, tornadoes, avalanches, and mudslides. Heavier rain may lead to floods and water contamination. A 2013 flooding event in Alberta displaced over 100,000 people and cost more than $5 billion.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (n.d.). Factsheet: Why Phase-Out Alberta’s Coal-Fired Power Plants? https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Factsheet-Why-Phase-Out-Alberta’s-Coal-Fired-Power-Plants-2015.pdf#new_tab

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Factsheet: Why Phase-Out Alberta’s Coal-Fired Power Plants? n.d. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Factsheet-Why-Phase-Out-Alberta’s-Coal-Fired-Power-Plants-2015.pdf#new_tab.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=Factsheet: Why Phase-Out Alberta’s Coal-Fired Power Plants? |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Factsheet-Why-Phase-Out-Alberta’s-Coal-Fired-Power-Plants-2015.pdf#new_tab |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironmentndfactsheet, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{Factsheet: Why Phase-Out Alberta’s Coal-Fired Power Plants?}}, institution = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Factsheet-Why-Phase-Out-Alberta’s-Coal-Fired-Power-Plants-2015.pdf#new_tab}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }