AUC releases semi-annual enforcement report for January to June 2021 The AUC recently released it’s enforcement report for January to June 2021. The report summarizes the results of the AUC’s compliance and enforcement activities from the first half of 2021 under a number of categories. These reports provide a transparent look at the AUC ‘s investigations into complaints, penalty matters, related outcomes, and ensures a comprehensive, flexible dispute resolution and compliance process which contributes to a broader goal of increasing efficiency and limiting regulatory burden.
AUC exceeds government of Alberta target with 48 per cent reduction in regulatory red tape requirements Increasing our efficiency as a regulator and reducing the regulatory burden are both critically important and have been key commitments of the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). We are pleased to share we have achieved a 48 per cent reduction in regulatory requirements set out in our rules, exceeding the government of Alberta and Department of Energy’s red tape reduction target to reduce mandatory requirements by one-third.
Bitcoin mining in Alberta and the AUC’s application process n Alberta, residents, industry and governments are getting a crash course in a relatively new business that’s recently landed at our doorstep: Bitcoin mining. Although the business may be new the regulatory requirements have existed for many years to ensure that the power plants that provide electricity to these facilities operate in a safe manner. Bitcoin is a digital currency and the world’s first completely open payment network, which anyone with an internet connection can participate in. It was designed to be used on the internet, doesn’t depend on banks or private companies to process transactions, allows for secure peer-to-peer transactions on the internet, and is not owned by an individual or company.
Process changes and notable enhancements to the eFiling System The AUC is pleased to announce some process changes and notable enhancements to the eFiling System scheduled to be released on June 12, 2021. The enhancements include modifications to the statement of intent to participate registration form, a new trusted traveler approach for three application types and a new region selector for interested parties to find… Continue reading Process changes and notable enhancements to the eFiling System
AUC holds Rule 007 virtual workshop to guide stakeholders through recent changes The AUC recently held a virtual workshop on the afternoon of April 22, 2021, to guide stakeholders through the changes to Rule 007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations and Hydro Developments. Over 150 participants attended the session from various industries with AUC subject matter experts available to answer questions about its… Continue reading AUC holds Rule 007 virtual workshop to guide stakeholders through recent changes
New AUC strategic plan guides refined focus on efficiency, facilitating change, and people Today, the AUC has released its updated strategic plan for the next three years. It is an important framework for the AUC as we aspire to be the North American benchmark for regulatory timeliness. The plan marks a purposeful refinement of, and a more focused approach to, the AUC’s goals, and reflects the organization’s commitment to… Continue reading New AUC strategic plan guides refined focus on efficiency, facilitating change, and people
Shortened timelines and increased accountability for issuing cost claim and review and variance decisions After a successful pilot project the AUC is announcing new performance targets four our cost claim and review and variance application review process. Through the pilot project we were able to find efficiencies that resulted in reducing our timelines by half. In an effort to continue to reduce regulatory burden, the AUC evaluated its procedures… Continue reading Shortened timelines and increased accountability for issuing cost claim and review and variance decisions
Whistleblower Awareness Day March 24, 2021, is Whistleblower Awareness Day – a day to highlight and recognize the important role whistleblowers play in strengthening the integrity of public institutions. The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act is intended to assist employees in identifying and correcting wrongdoing within an organization, and in doing so, promote public confidence in the administration of… Continue reading Whistleblower Awareness Day
Looking to the future: AUC releases final report of Distribution System Inquiry into modernization of grid to realize benefits of distributed energy resources The AUC has released the final report of its Distribution System Inquiry (Proceeding 24116) which examined the need to modernize Alberta’s distribution system to realize benefits from advancing technologies. A summary of the report, located on our website under Decision 24116-D01-2021, can be found in a letter to stakeholders from AUC Chair Carolyn Dahl Rees. The report focuses… Continue reading Looking to the future: AUC releases final report of Distribution System Inquiry into modernization of grid to realize benefits of distributed energy resources
AUC releases enforcement report for July to December, 2020 The AUC has released the enforcement report for July to December 2020, thanks to staff in the Market Oversight and Enforcement group. The report summarizes the results of the AUC’s compliance and enforcement activities from July to December of 2020 under a number of categories. As one example, between July and December of 2020, enforcement… Continue reading AUC releases enforcement report for July to December, 2020
AUC introduces pilot programs to provide notice and information to residents The AUC is continuously looking for effective and efficient ways to improve our processes and provide opportunities to have a say about utility development in Alberta. The AUC recently introduced a pilot program for issuing notices in postcard form and providing a project web page with more detailed information about opportunities for having a say… Continue reading AUC introduces pilot programs to provide notice and information to residents
The AUC approves largest battery storage installation in Canada TERIC Power Ltd. has received approvals from the AUC to install two 20-megawatt lithium-ion battery energy storage power plants. The eReserve1 Battery Energy Storage Power Plant will be located near the village of Rycroft and will connect to the ATCO Electric Ltd. distribution system. The eReserve2 Battery Energy Storage Power Plant will be located near… Continue reading The AUC approves largest battery storage installation in Canada
AUC releases first enforcement report for April to December, 2019 The AUC actively enforces its decisions, orders, rules, utility-related legislation and regulations to ensure compliance by utilities. In June of 2018, the Alberta Utilities Commission Act granted the AUC authority to issue specified penalties. Investigations and enforcement activities are now carried out related to terms and conditions of service standards, and rates, and facilities and landowner complaints.… Continue reading AUC releases first enforcement report for April to December, 2019
AUC-approved power plant uses uncommon technology to produce green power without emissions The AUC approved a power plant that will use uncommon turbine technology to produce power using waste heat and without emissions, while allowing the owner to lower its electricity bill. The approval also involves an industrial system designation with an interconnection to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. The Orion Organic Rankine Cycle Power Plant, approved… Continue reading AUC-approved power plant uses uncommon technology to produce green power without emissions
Questions about your utility bill? We want to help you find the answers to your questions. The utility industry can be complex. The production and delivery of natural gas and electricity to homes and businesses involves an integrated network of delivery systems, companies and agencies, and billing charges. Add to this, no two jurisdictions regulate utilities exactly the same. This… Continue reading Questions about your utility bill?
Inaugural AUC Annual Report Card identifies work done in 2019-2020 fiscal year and a commitment to further process improvements The AUC has issued its first annual report card, a detailed report setting out our accomplishments in 2019-2020, making it easier for stakeholders to assess in a simple, straightforward way whether the AUC has met its objectives. The AUC Annual Report Card 2019-2020 can be found here. For the first time, the AUC has quantified the benefits of… Continue reading Inaugural AUC Annual Report Card identifies work done in 2019-2020 fiscal year and a commitment to further process improvements
AUC releases 2020-2021 Operational Plan The AUC takes a very strategic approach to accomplishing its mandate, an approach supported by active stakeholder consultation and input, regular scans of the evolving operational and regulatory environment, the identification of key priorities – and flexibility. The AUC 2020-2021 Operational Plan sets out the organization’s work objectives for the fiscal year around four key themes established… Continue reading AUC releases 2020-2021 Operational Plan
AUC creates independent expert committee to help streamline rates decisions. Committee invites stakeholder submissions for report to Commission The Alberta Utilities Commission has established an independent AUC Procedures and Processes Review Committee to focus on improving the timeliness of its large and complex rates proceedings, announced in Bulletin 2020-17 on May 8, 2020. This independent committee will make recommendations to the chair of the AUC about how process and procedure steps can be made more… Continue reading AUC creates independent expert committee to help streamline rates decisions. Committee invites stakeholder submissions for report to Commission
AUC adopts trusted traveller approach for low-risk applications The Alberta Utilities Commission is making things simpler for Alberta’s electric transmission and gas utility pipeline companies by adopting a trusted traveler approach for low-risk projects in place of its standard application process. This AUC pilot project uses a simple, checklist-based approach for applications for minor substation and transmission line alterations and time extensions on… Continue reading AUC adopts trusted traveller approach for low-risk applications
AUC turns 105 on April 17, 2020 The AUC was created on April 17, 1915 as the Board of Public Utility Commissioners which was renamed the Public Utility Commission, then became the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board before becoming the Alberta Utilities Commission in 2008. Over the course of 105 years of service, the AUC and its predecessors have had a rich… Continue reading AUC turns 105 on April 17, 2020