The future of coal in the southeast has been a big topic of concern recently. So much so, that Souris-Moose Mountain MP, Robert Kitchen was in Bienfait to talk to his constituents. 

"It was a very good meeting, I think," shared Estevan's mayor, Roy Ludwig. "Dr Kitchen was looking for feedback and input and I think he has a good understanding on what's happening in our area with (Units) 4 and 5 going down."

He added that the big question now is whether or not Unit 6  and Shand be converted to clean coal to help mitigate potential job losses. 

"We're all working hard to make sure that we can help to make that happen but our provincial government hasn't decided and our federal government is leaning more towards the end date of coal."

"Having said that, Minister McKenna was down here and she mentioned how great the clean coal project was but she really hasn't mentioned it since so that gives us pause to wonder how serious the federal government is."

"I think Dr Kitchen made a good point in that he has to educate his fellow MPs to begin with so that when and if there is a change, his own people are educated on the benefits of green technology as far as clean coal goes. And the fact that we can be an important part moving forward with power generation."

"We're hoping at the end of the day, the federal and the provincial governments will continue to move forward and support it." 

READ MORE: MP Dr. Robert Kitchen Hosts Meeting To Hear Miners Opinions