Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
On the left: coal crushers at Boundary Dam. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
Editor’s note: On May 7 both the United Mine Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers sent letters of support for the Saskatchewan Party Government’s plan to rebuild the coal fleet and dismay at the New Democratic Party’s more assertive stance in recent days to do away with coal-fired power generation. Here’s the letter sent to Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and Minister Responsible for SaskPower Jeremy Harrison from IBEW, which was reposted on Premier Scott Moe’s social media channels:
Dear Minister Harrison:
On behalf of IBEW Local 2067, I am writing to express our concerns regarding the NDP’s recently promoted “Grid and Growth” plan as well as the conduct displayed by the opposition in the Legislature on May 6. Our members deserve honesty, stability, and a realistic path foiward for Saskatchewan’s energy future – not political theatre built on misleading numbers and ideologically driven narratives.
As you are aware; the workers of IBEW 2067 build, maintain, and operate Saskatchewan’s power system every day, while also mining and delivering coal to the plant at Coronach. Our members understand the realities of mining, generation, transmission, reliability, and affordability far better than political staffers or outside consultants attempting to score headlines. What we witnessed from the NDP was not responsible opposition, but a deliberate misrepresentation of costs intended to undermine confidence in Saskatchewan’s energy sector and the workers who depend on it.
The NDP’s costing figures are flawed and inflated. Their analysis improperly includes fuel costs while also attaching transmission upgrade costs that have already been identified as necessary regardless of future generation choices. Transmission modernization will be required whether Saskatchewan pursues coal, natural gas, nuclear, renewables, or a combination of all four. ln addition, their numbers appear to include capital, maintenance and operating costs for decades to come. To portray those investments and costs as exclusive consequences of the SaskParty’s plan is deliberately misleading Saskatchewan people.
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Equally absent from the NDP’s narrative is the issue of true energy security. Their proposal relies heavily on natural gas from Alberta, making Saskatchewan more dependent on imported fuel that supports jobs and economic activity outside our province. Natural gas prices are volatile, and transportation costs are ultimately borne by Saskatchewan ratepayers.
By contrast, Saskatchewan coal is mined by Saskatchewan workers at operations located directly beside Saskatchewan generating stations. This model has supported Estevan and Coronach for generations by creating stable union employment, ensuring predictable fuel supply, and reducing transportation costs. The SaskParty plan of using Saskatchewan resources in Saskatchewan power plants staffed by Saskatchewan workers is true energy security.
The NDP’s plan creates uncertainty for skilled tradespeople, jeopardizes investment confidence, and undermines the livelihoods of thousands of Saskatchewan families who depend on a stable, long-term energy strategy.
Saskatchewan needs serious discussion about reliability, affordability, emissions reduction, and economic growth – not manufactured outrage or inflated figures designed for headlines.
In closing, I would like to thank the SaskParty government for continuing to stand up for Saskatchewan coal workers and for challenging misinformation whenever it is presented publicly. The people who keep this province powered deserve leadership that is transparent, fact-based, and committed to protecting Saskatchewan jobs and Saskatchewan energy security.
Sincerely,
Ken Hoste
Assistant Business Manager
Local 2067