Coal Revival: United Mine Workers say federal mandate to phase out coal-fired electricity posed existential threats to entire communities

Brian Zinchuk

Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online

This dragline was working near Bienfait in 2011, the year SaskPower initially approved its carbon capture project. Photo by Brian Zinchuk

“Saskatchewan’s leadership in asserting provincial jurisdiction over its energy future deserves recognition. While the federal mandate to phase out coal-fired electricity by 2030 posed existential threats to entire communities, this new direction offers hope and continuity.”

Several letters of support were written backing the province’s move to rebuilt its coal fleet, announced on June 18. This letter is from the United Mine Workers of America, which represents the mine workers at the Estevan mine. Jody Dukart is the union’s International Auditor/Teller, who will be speaking with Pipeline Online in depth in the coming days:

June 17, 2025

Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan

Regina, SK

On behalf of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), I write to formally express our strong support for the Government of Saskatchewan’s decision to proceed with the life extension and refurbishment of the province’s coal-fired power generation units.

This initiative is not only a practical solution to Saskatchewan’s energy needs but also a critical step toward preserving good-paying union jobs in Saskatchewan, particularly for the members of UMWA Local 7606 in Estevan.

Saskatchewan’s leadership in asserting provincial jurisdiction over its energy future deserves recognition. While the federal mandate to phase out coal-fired electricity by 2030 posed existential threats to entire communities, this new direction offers hope and continuity. Reinvestment into the province’s coal infrastructure ensures long-term operational stability, energy security, and job protection well beyond 2030.

Coal has powered this province for generations and the UMWA welcomes policies that allows our members, and the communities they support, to continue contributing to Saskatchewan’s prosperity.

We stand ready to collaborate with CIC, SaskPower, and the Government of Saskatchewan to ensure the success of this transition and the protection of our members’ livelihoods.

In Solidarity,

Jody Dukart

International Auditor/Teller Canada

• 0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p
  0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p
• 0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD
  0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD
• 0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it
  0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it
• 0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click Before You Dig
  0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click Before You Dig
• 0092 Turnbull projects big and small
  0092 Turnbull projects big and small
• 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser
  0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser
• 0087 Lori Carr Coal Expansion
  0087 Lori Carr Coal Expansion
• 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
  0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
• 0076 Latus only
  0076 Latus only
• 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
  0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
• 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
  0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
• 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
  0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
• 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
  0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
• 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
  0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
• 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
• 0022 Grimes winter hiring
• 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
• 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
• 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
• 0006 JK Junior
• 0002 gilliss casing services
  0002 gilliss casing services
• 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
  9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
• 9001