Chair Carolyn Dahl Rees receives King’s Counsel designation We are delighted to announce that AUC Chair Carolyn Dahl Rees has been appointed as King’s Counsel (KC), an honour that recognizes distinguished lawyers in Alberta for significant contributions to both the legal profession and the well-being of the broader community. Recipients exemplify integrity, commitment, leadership, mentorship and service. “After 40 years of practicing law… Continue reading Chair Carolyn Dahl Rees receives King’s Counsel designation
Help for utility customers at risk of being disconnected during winter months The AUC works to ensure that Albertans are referred to the right supports to keep their lights on and homes warm over the winter months. The AUC has a vulnerable customer protection program in place to ensure that Albertans are not disconnected in the coldest periods of the year. Utility companies are not allowed to… Continue reading Help for utility customers at risk of being disconnected during winter months
AUC releases Module B report to conclude renewables inquiry The AUC’s report on Module B of the inquiry into the ongoing economic, orderly and efficient development of electricity generation in Alberta was released today. The report can be found here. The report, delivered to Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf, provides summaries of submissions and observations on the impact of the increasing growth… Continue reading AUC releases Module B report to conclude renewables inquiry
AUC releases inquiry Module A report as provincial electricity system policy changes unfold Farm and dramatic sky in rural Alberta Canada The AUC’s report on Module A of its renewables inquiry was released today, the latest in a series of recent developments centred on government policy changes around Alberta’s electricity system. The report can be found here. The report, delivered to Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf in January, provides summaries of submissions and observations… Continue reading AUC releases inquiry Module A report as provincial electricity system policy changes unfold
Net-zero analysis of Alberta’s electricity distribution system The AUC has issued a report analyzing Alberta’s electricity distribution system in the context of achieving net-zero goals. The report, conducted by external consultant Guidehouse, was released January 24, 2024, and is available here. Transitioning to net-zero is a focus of many organizations, governments and stakeholders in Alberta. The Alberta Electricity System Operator (AESO) recently… Continue reading Net-zero analysis of Alberta’s electricity distribution system
Cost-of-capital parameters in 2024 and beyond On October 9, 2023, in Decision 27084-D02-2023, the AUC adopted a formula-based approach to set the rate of return on equity, or ROE, for Alberta’s regulated electric and natural gas utilities in 2024 and beyond. The AUC also set deemed equity ratios for the utilities, which determines the ratio of debt to equity in their… Continue reading Cost-of-capital parameters in 2024 and beyond
AUC issues third-generation performance-based regulation decision The AUC has a responsibility to ensure that customers receive safe and reliable electric and gas utility service at just and reasonable rates. Rates for electric and gas distribution utilities in Alberta are set under a form of performance-based regulation (PBR). PBR is designed to mimic competition and encourage efficiency by providing incentives for the… Continue reading AUC issues third-generation performance-based regulation decision
AUC wins the 2023 CAMPUT Award for Innovation and Leadership Windfarm in rural Alberta Canada The AUC has been named the winner of the 2023 Canada’s Energy and Utility (CAMPUT) Award for Innovation and Leadership for its red tape reduction and process streamlining initiatives. The award recognizes significant and innovative contributions by CAMPUT member tribunals, for improvements in energy and public utility regulation in Canada. The award program contributes to… Continue reading AUC wins the 2023 CAMPUT Award for Innovation and Leadership
Streamlining progress and red tape reduction The AUC continues to change and adapt to improve its work and become an increasingly effective and efficient regulator. We remain committed to ongoing regulatory enhancement, process improvement and streamlining. The AUC operates on the basis that there is significant opportunity to do things better and reduce regulatory burden – a commitment to improvement that… Continue reading Streamlining progress and red tape reduction
Looking back on an important year for the AUC In 2022 the AUC continued to change and adapt to find improvements to our work and become an increasingly effective and efficient regulator. We continued to see a significant number of applications with more major proceedings in 2022 than in years past. The AUC was pleased to have achieved a 48.2 per cent reduction in… Continue reading Looking back on an important year for the AUC
Ensuring efficiency in the distribution of electricity and natural gas in Alberta The AUC uses performance-based regulation (PBR) to encourage gas and electric distribution companies to find efficiencies and reduce costs while delivering safe and reliable utility service to Albertans. PBR helps keep distribution utility rates lower for customers than they may have been using a traditional cost-of-service model by providing utility companies greater incentives to become… Continue reading Ensuring efficiency in the distribution of electricity and natural gas in Alberta
AUC releases report on inquiry into hydrogen blending in natural gas distribution systems Alberta is the largest producer of hydrogen in Canada and has been producing hydrogen for more than 50 years. As the most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen can be burned for energy or used in fuel cells, emitting only water with the potential to be a major source of clean energy for the province… Continue reading AUC releases report on inquiry into hydrogen blending in natural gas distribution systems
Establishing parameters for the third generation of performance-based regulation The AUC regulates four companies who own and operate the province’s electric distribution system (ATCO Electric Ltd., Fortis Alberta Inc., ENMAX Power Corporation, and EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc.) and two companies for natural gas distribution (ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd., and Apex Utilities Inc.). The AUC uses performance-based regulation (PBR) when setting rates for… Continue reading Establishing parameters for the third generation of performance-based regulation
AUC holds virtual power plant application workshop to guide stakeholders through updates and streamlining recommendations Southern Alberta Renewable Energy Wind Farm near Magrath. The AUC recently held a virtual workshop together with Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) and the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) on the afternoon of July 21, 2022, to guide stakeholders through the process each organization takes when reviewing power plant facility applications. The AUC thanks all stakeholders for their participation in the workshop. Presentation… Continue reading AUC holds virtual power plant application workshop to guide stakeholders through updates and streamlining recommendations
Regulatory streamlining of new power plants between one and less than 10 MW; exemption for own-use power plants eliminated The AUC has recently received a high number of inquiries from Albertans looking to develop power plants (e.g., thermal, wind, solar) to produce their own energy without having to submit a formal application. These power plants would produce between one and less than 10 megawatts (MW). The AUC is also receiving an increasing number of… Continue reading Regulatory streamlining of new power plants between one and less than 10 MW; exemption for own-use power plants eliminated
Why was there an increase to my utility bill this month? The Alberta Utilities Commission takes its role of regulating transmission, distribution and regulated retail rates very seriously and ensures that it has the expertise to scrutinize and consider rate applications from regulated utilities. The costs of building, maintaining and operating the transmission lines, substations, and distribution infrastructure throughout Alberta are significant, and the AUC reviews these costs in… Continue reading Why was there an increase to my utility bill this month?