No matter whether you light the menorah, trim the tree or setup the Festivus Pole, your holiday activities likely have a connection to a lump of coal mined right here in British Columbia.

The Government of British Columbia has issued a temporary order under Section 7 of the Environment and Land Use Act to extend the deferral of decisions on permits and permit amendments on existing coal tenures in an area of the Klappan until March 31, 2015, as well as on new coal tenures in the Klappan until Dec. 1, 2015.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines has selected Hatch Ltd. to assist with the oversight of the process for independent third-party reviews of dam safety inspections for every permitted mine tailings storage facility in British Columbia.

The Province has tabled amendments to the Mines Act, to ensure there is more time available, if required, to conduct thorough investigations into offences under the act and for a decision by Crown Counsel on whether to pursue charges.

Environment Minister Mary Polak and Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson have issued an environmental assessment certificate to BC Hydro for the Site C Clean Energy project, located seven kilometres southwest of Fort St. John.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a qualified contractor to assist with the oversight of the process for independent third-party reviews of Dam Safety inspections for every permitted mine tailings storage facility in British Columbia.

Energy and Mines Minister and MLA for Kootenay East Bill Bennet has released the following statement:

Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett issued the following statement to mark the 50th anniversary of the Columbia River Treaty:

The Government of British Columbia has issued a temporary order under Section 7 of the Environment and Land Use Act to defer decisions on permits and permit amendments related to existing coal tenures in the Klappan until December 1, 2014.