Singer Corb Lund has been given the go-ahead to start collecting signatures for a petition to ask the Alberta government to pass a law banning new coal mining on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

Elections Alberta posted the official OK on its website Monday.

Lund, who has received multiple Juno and Canadian Country Music Association nominations and awards, lives in southern Alberta and has been a vocal opponent of coal mining.

In his application for the petition, he said he’s seeking the intervention because mines could threaten land and water in the area.