The Slave Lake biomass-gas-to-liquids proposed project is expected to produce 6.5 million liters per year of low-carbon intensity, clean-burning synthetic diesel fuel.
This year seasonal factors have limited output of renewables, including hydro electricity, which are weather dependent, helping coal's share to rebound.
Scientists say coal ash from the Punta Catalina power plant revealed high concentrations of arsenic, selenium and other potentially harmful heavy metals.