Premier Danielle Smith holding an Alberta prairie dog
Article: Drew Anderson THE NARWHAL March 21, 2024
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The Alberta government has said wind energy projects have a negative impact on “unobstructed, natural landscapes” and has banned new turbines along all of Alberta’s eastern slopes.
With wind energy likely off the table in large swaths of the province — and new restrictions on solar farms in others — here’s a look at some of the things Albertans can still do in those “unobstructed, natural landscapes.”
1. Urban sprawl is continuing in Alberta’s draft ‘pristine viewscape’ regions
2. Logging applications are ongoing in Kananaskis Country — now off limits to new wind energy projects
3. A new pulp mill is being celebrated by the government just outside of Jasper National Park
4. Coal mining is not explicitly prohibited under Alberta’s new draft ‘pristine viewscape’ plans
5. There are no blanket bans on what landowners can do with their land, from RV storage fields to mega mansions
6. Drilling for oil and gas continues across much of the province, including in wind energy no-go zones
7. Fracking is using increasing amounts of water in areas off-limits to new wind energy projects
