The Alberta government is changing coal policies to make it easier to develop open-pit mines in one of the province's most sensitive areas.

Environmental groups say they are disappointed that Ottawa is exempting an Alberta open pit thermal coal mine expansion project from federal environmental review.

The money will fund four planning, training and research programs in Alberta and five in Saskatchewan.

Eight months after announcing a strategic review of its power plants business, Canadian Utilities Ltd. has struck a deal to sell its entire Canadian fossil fuel-based electricity generation portfolio for about $835 million.

The Alberta government is taking the first steps to twin Highway 60 between highways 16 and 16A, and building an overpass to cross the CN mainline along the busy route.

The goal should be to move to a greener grid while maintaining abundant, reliable and cheap power.

Coal has long been the backbone of Alberta's grid, currently providing nearly 40 per cent of the provinces power. Analysts believe removing it will come with a cost to consumers.

Alberta is putting aside $40 million to help workers losing their jobs as the province transitions away from thermal coal mines and coal-fired power plants over the next decade.

The Coal Community Transition Fund is open to municipalities and First Nations affected as Alberta phases out coal-fired electricity by 2030 to focus on renewables and natural gas. 

The provincial government announced Monday that the east-central Alberta town of Hanna would be receiving $450,000 to help stimulate economic diversification.