The AUC ensures utility companies meet their requirements in planning, developing and operating utility infrastructure and their interactions with landowners.

​

The AUC ensures landowners are respected as utility companies meet their obligations in planning, developing and operating utility infrastructure. The construction, maintenance and operation of AUC-approved utility infrastructure is subject to AUC conditions of the utility owner. These can be requirements around land access and notice, livestock protection, around weed control, and even around what time of year heavy equipment may be used. The AUC also may have requirements around noise, dust and timing of work.

Landowners or residents that are directly impacted by utility construction, maintenance and operations issues are encouraged to contact the utility company to seek resolution. If this is unsatisfactory, landowners and residents are encouraged to contact the AUC.

When warranted, the AUC will investigate non-compliance with its decisions, which may and often do include conditions around the construction, maintenance and operation of utility infrastructure. This includes environmental, including wildlife requirements.

Additionally, in its decision making, the Alberta Utilities Commission has responsibilities to ensure landowners (and anyone who has a right to use the land) who may be directly and adversely affected by its decisions on utility matters have an opportunity to have their concerns heard and understood.

• Affected landowners have a right to participate in proceedings regarding the development of utility infrastructure, including generation development hat may have an impact on them, or their land.
• In its proceedings the AUC examines and weighs the approaches suggested by utility infrastructure developers (electric utility, generation and consumer natural gas pipeline firms) on how projects will be developed:
• What types of land access (temporary or permanent) will be required.
• How landowners will be notified of access to their land.
• Conditions required of utility firms around their entry onto private land.
• Measures that must be taken during construction to avoid the spread of noxious weds and other pests.
• Land disturbance and remediation.
• Wildlife impact and mitigation.
• Historical resource impact and remediation.
• Noise and emissions generated by facilities, and by construction.
• The AUC considers and weighs the approaches suggested or requested by affected landowners on the same topics. The AUC encourages agreement between utility developers and landowners, where and when it can be reached.
• In its decisions the AUC sets out conditions that must be met by the utility firm around construction and maintenance of their lines and facilities.
• Breaches of these conditions, and general concerns about the operation or state of utility infrastructure can be reported to the AUC.
• The AUC will investigate alleged breaches and may choose to take steps to encourage corrective action, including voluntary action. When needed, the remedy could be set out in an AUC order.
• The AUC has broad and discretionary powers to order that projects be suspended pending remedy of shortcomings that violate an AUC decisions, rule, order, legislation or regulation.
• The AUC conducts public information sessions ahead of, or concurrent with applications for utility development to ensure landowners, local municipalities and other parties are aware of and informed about applications and their opportunities to participate in the AUC proceeding process.
• Applicants are required to consult with local landowners and municipalities which may be affected by the proposed project.
• Applicants and the AUC are required to provide broad notice to residents of an area around projects proposed for that area.
• If a landowner believes that an electrical facility owner or service provider has not complied with Alberta's utility legislation, or an AUC decision order or rule, they may contact us by email or by phone at 780-427-4903.