Take Notice that TransAlta Utilities Corporation (TransAlta) has applied to the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) and Alberta Environment (AENV) for approval to amend by extension the area to operate a surface coal mine in the Wabamun area. This surface coal mine development is located south of Wabamun Lake in Parkland County, within Township 51, Range 4, West of the 5th Meridian. The Highvale Mine currently produces 12.5 million tonnes of sub-bituminous coal annually, which is supplied as fuel to the Sundance and Keephills Thermal Generating Stations. TransAlta requests an area extension of Mine Licence No. C 2000-33 to facilitate the surface coal mining and reclamation operations under and south of the present location of Highway 627; as well as; the cuts in Pit 02N that advance towards and parallel to Pit 01.

This Notice of Filing is being distributed to advise interested persons that the applications are available, and that the EUB, AENV and other government departments are now undertaking reviews of the applications.

Nature of Applications

In support of their proposal, TransAlta has prepared and submitted the following applications:

         Application No. 1273723 to the EUB, pursuant to Sections 13 (1) of the Coal Conservation Act, to amend the licence to extend the area of the surface coal mine and reclamation operations within the current term which expires on December 31, 2005.

         Application No. 002-79264 to AENV, under the Water Act (WA), to authorize the amendment of water diversion for mine dewatering to include those areas in Township 51, Range 4, W5M in said application.

         Application No. 006-11187 to AENV, under Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA), for the addition of lands in Sections 33, 34, 35, and 36, Township 51, Range 4, West of the 5th Meridian, to construct, operate and reclaim a coal mine.

Additional Information

To obtain additional information or a copy of the application, free of charge, contact:

TransAlta Utilities Corporation
110 12th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 2M1
Attention: Mr Paul Clark, Director of Fuel Supply
Telephone: (403) 267-7325
Fax: (403) 267-3726
Email: paul_clark@transalta.com

For information about EUB procedures contact:

EUB Applications Branch, Resource Applications
Attention: Mr. Greig Sankey
Telephone: (403) 297-7202
Email: greig.sankey@gov.ab.ca

To File a Submission (Statement of Concern)

Should you have a statement of concern to the EPEA Application No. 006-11187 or the WA application (File No. 002-79264), please submit your written statement to:

Director of Central Region
Alberta Environment
Regulatory Approvals Centre
Main Floor, 9820 106th Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5K 2J6
Telephone: (780) 427-6311
Fax: (780) 422-0154

Pursuant to Section 73 of EPEA and Section 109 of the WA, any person who is directly affected by these operations may submit a written statement of concern regarding these applications by September 18, 2002 to the above address. Please quote Application No. 006-11187 when submitting a statement of concern in regards to the EPEA application. Please quote Application No. 002-79264 when submitting a statement of concern in regards to the WA application. Failure to file a statement of concern may affect the right to file a Notice of Appeal with the Environmental Appeal Board. Note: Any statements filed regarding this application are public records, which are accessible by the public.

Issued at Calgary, Alberta, on July 29, 2002.

ALBERTA ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD
Michael J. Bruni, Q.C., General Counsel