While the coronavirus (COVID-19) has proven to be both unpredictable and disruptive, the AUC is taking steps to ensure that it can continue to perform its regulatory work critical to Alberta's essential utility services and to Alberta's economy.
As part of its response to COVID-19, the Commission recently deferred all public hearings, consultations or information sessions until
further notice.
Hearings are only one component of the AUC's regulatory, adjudicative and administrative work. Should there be a requirement to proceed with an oral hearing or other normally public proceeding, written or remote participation options will be explored with parties.
Facilities (power plants, substations, transmission lines, etc.)
The AUC is working to meet current performance standards for
all proceedings that are in the decision writing stage with proceedings and dates.
For applications in record development with a category of
one to three, processing continues as normal, in accordance with established
timelines.
For applications in record development with a category of
four and five, participants have been informed that the AUC will continue with
written processes for these "in-flight" applications. Any potential
delays, such as C-9 considerations, will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
The AUC has made COVID-19 related changes to participant involvement programs for Facility applications.
- Project proponents will now give stakeholders a minimum of 30 days to receive, consider and respond to project notifications.
- The Commission is encouraging stakeholder consultation initiatives alternatives to the usual face-to-face methods.
- The Commission has indicated that project proponents should recognize the challenges Indigenous groups may have at this time and adapt practices and timing accordingly.
- For health reasons, project proponents will no longer supply printed consultation labels to the AUC, Excel spreadsheets are required.
Recent AUC regulatory burden reduction initiatives will assist in allowing utility sector resources to be more focused on pandemic-related priorities.
- Elimination of construction progress reports for approved power plants.
- Elimination of the need for compliance letters for routine direction responses.
Rates
For the approximately 40 active rates applications, effort is being applied to continue to meet application processing and decision timelines.
The AUC plans to meet its statutory requirement to issue the monthly retail acknowledgement letters before the end of each month to set the regulated retail prices.
Applications are being addressed on a priority basis and AUC staff will work towards meeting all targets as workload permits.
As required, the AUC will defer applications that have the least effect on utilities, customers or AUC operations.
AUC treatment of Rates applications
Market Oversight and Enforcement
The Market Oversight and Enforcement division is exceptionally active in assisting with the implementation details of the province's billing deferral program, and with recovery mechanisms for utilities to recover owed amounts and to deal with credit and cash flow issues.
The AUC has also adopted a more flexible and pragmatic approach to regulation in these challenging times, recognizing that like the AUC, industry is also generally working remotely and needs to allocate resources on a priority basis.
For specified penalties, the AUC has approved additional changes to reduce reporting requirements, increase efficiency and reduce regulatory burden under Rule 003, Section 3.43.
