Ongoing Engagement

The Genesee Generating Station and Mine have operated west of Edmonton, Alberta for more than 20 years. Genesee 3, commissioned in 2005, is one of the most advanced, fuel-efficient, and environmentally progressive coal-powered facilities in Canada. We maintain open communication with local stakeholders and adapt our operations, where possible, based on community feedback.

The proposed Genesee Mine Extension

Area residents’ groundwater concerns

In October 2011, Capital Power and Prairie Mines Resources Limited submitted an application to the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB)and Alberta Environment for approval of the Genesee Mine extension. The Mine Extension would secure continued fuel supply for the three generating units at the Genesee facility. The proposed extension includes 14.5 sections (or 9,280 acres) of land.

Within the application process, we took steps to address concerns of potential impacts on groundwater and private wells from a group of landowners living within five kilometres of the eastern edge of the proposed mine permit boundary. We met with these landowners and shared information on the technical assessments done on potential groundwater impacts. We committed to working with them to address their concerns.

Residents proposed a number of actions for Capital Power, and as part of our commitment to being open and transparent, we:

1. Reviewed and received input on the current Water Well Replacement Policy. With input from community members, a new Water Supply Policy was developed.
2. Committed to explore a longer-term plan to conduct baseline assessments of wells in the area.

We informed the ERCB and Alberta Environment of all communication with landowners.

Addressing displacement – Genesee’s Land Purchase Program

The proposed mine extension will affect approximately 30 private owners. Consultation activities formally began in 2010, and consultation continues with specific stakeholders.

Our Land Purchase program includes:

• A premium of 25% on market value of land for landowners whose land is required
• Flexibility to accommodate landowners who express a desire to remain living on their land for as long as mining advancement would allow
• The opportunity for landowners to sell their land in advance of when it is required, in order to accommodate personal circumstances
• The opportunity for landowners who are not eligible for the program but want to sell their land to be placed on a seller’s list, which is given to landowners who are negotiating to sell their land for the project but want to remain in the area
• Reimbursement for reasonable legal, appraisal and accounting costs as well as reimbursement for a landowner’s reasonable time spent during negotiations
• The option for farmland renters to lease purchased farmland under the terms of a lease at the current Capital Power rental rates until the land is required for mining purposes
• The commitment to purchase, at market value, any land with a residence on it which borders the permit area (i.e. buffer zone).

At the end of 2012:

• 81% of stakeholders within the mine areas have reached agreements with Capital Power
• 87% of required land is owned by Capital Power or a purchase agreement is finalized
• In some cases we were able to exchange land from an inventory of quarter sections that our company owned so that local farmers in the permit area could continue their farming operations.

Interacting with our community

Celebrating Canada Day in Warburg (June 23)

In June, Genesee Generating Station and Mine hosted its annual tent to support Warburg’s Canada Day event.

Sharing our reclaimed land progress & innovation– Genesee Mine and Reclamation Research Tour

In late June, 190 guests (up from 40 the previous year) enjoyed a barbecue dinner and a two-hour tour of the Genesee Mine, including stops at the newly created wetland, the live root reforestation plot, the hybrid poplar plantation, aspen research plot, and the operating dragline and pre-strip fleet.

Showing what we do - Genesee Generating Station tour

Eighteen people attended the first plant facility tour since 9/11, when public tours were stopped for security reasons. Many commenting about the value of understanding plant operations.

“We understand there is interest in our mining and reclamation activities and appreciate the opportunity to show people our work directly. It’s nice when you can speak with someone face-to-face over a burger, rather than just over the phone" said George Greenhough, land services manager.

“We thoroughly enjoyed being able to show Genesee Station to our neighbours for the first time in several years,” said Randy Oleschuk, Shared Services Senior Manager. “This is a first class operation and it is great that we again are able to show it off.”

Regular community ‘touch points’

Our relationship with our neighbours is important. We work to have regular contact with our stakeholders. In 2012 we hosted:

• Two ‘Good Neighbour’ breakfasts with the County of Leduc (April and November)
• Three Community Advisory Task Group (CATG) meetings (February, June and November): a group of local residents who share the interests and priorities of residents living within a 25 kilometre radius of the Genesee Generating Station.