Coal-dependent communities in southeast Saskatchewan such as Coronach and Estevan will be receiving provincial funding over the next few years.

The $10 million in funding is designated to help local economies to diversify and develop as coal energy gets phased out across Canada.

Mayor of Estevan Roy Ludwig said the money his city receives will be put to good use.

We’re looking at economic activity to get rolling right away that can help mitigate the closures of (Boundary Dam) units 4 and 5, which will be going down in 2021 and 2024.”

Ludwig said $10 million is a good start.

“As you know, we have also started a transition committee in Estevan with the stakeholders with (the Saskatchewan Power Corporation), so we’ll be looking at SPC coming to the table when the actual closures start to help with employment, training, and all of the other issues associated with that.”

While NDP leader Ryan Meili has previously said Saskatchewan should be moving away from coal power, Ludwig said he disagrees.

“I believe coal has a future with green eneergy, and we’ve proven that at (Boundary Dam) unit 3, and we will continue to prove that at unit 6 and Shand (power station), optimistaclly, if both of those go forward.”

While it is not known the amount of time it will take for the communities to receive the funding, but Ludwig said Estevan will receive some this year.