The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) regulates investor-owned electric, gas and water utilities, some municipally-owned electric utilities, and Regulated Retailers of electricity and natural gas.
Who regulates electricity in Alberta?
Alberta Utilities Commission
Electricity agencies
A number of arms-length agencies oversee Alberta’s electricity system and receive their powers through the Electric Utilities Act. These include the Alberta Electric System Operator, Alberta Utilities Commission, Market Surveillance Administrator, Balancing Pool, and Utilities Consumer Advocate.
What does Alberta Utilities Commission do?
We regulate investor-owned natural gas, electric, and water utilities and certain municipally owned electric utilities to ensure that customers receive safe and reliable service at just and reasonable rates. Staff also respond to customer inquiries and complaints respecting utility matters.
Is Power privatized in Alberta?
Why did Alberta privatize electricity generation? Unlike many provinces, Alberta has never had a Crown utility company responsible for generation, distribution and sale of electricity.
What is the power company in Alberta?
The majority of Alberta utility customers are served by AltaGas Utility, Direct Energy Regulated Services, ENMAX Power Corporation, and EPCOR Energy Alberta. However, a number of smaller city-owned utilities also provide regulated services to local residents.
Who is the governing body for electricity?
Ofgem is the organisation that ensures that any new energy company complies with certain standards, or that energy companies are responding to complaints and fulfilling their social and environmental obligations. You can find out how to make a complaint about your energy supplier in our guide.
Who is the regulatory body for electricity?
We are governed by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA). This consists of non-executive and executive members and a non-executive chair. GEMA determines strategy, sets policy priorities and makes decisions on a wide range of regulatory matters, including price controls and enforcement.
Why are utility bills so high in Alberta?
“It’s not just sort of expensive, these are record prices,” said Blake Shaffer, electricity market economist at the University of Alberta. Low supply, soaring demand, and reduced competitiveness are to blame for the jolt Albertans are seeing on their electricity bills, says a local economist.
Who owns the power grid in Alberta?
The four major distribution companies in Alberta are EPCOR, ENMAX, ATCO and FortisAlberta. Additionally, there are six municipalities and 34 Rural Electrification Associations that manage distribution operations. ATCO Electric transmission and distribution territory.
What does the utility regulator do?
The Utility Regulator is responsible for regulating the electricity, gas, water and sewerage industries in Northern Ireland, promoting the short- and long-term interests of consumers.
Does Alberta buy power from BC?
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in North America
Purchasing clean hydroelectricity from B.C. can reduce their reliance on fossil fuel-based sources and help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One of B.C.’s electricity trading partners is Alberta.
When did Alberta become deregulated?
January 1, 1996
The History of Alberta’s Deregulated Electricity Market
1995 – Alberta passes the Electric Utilities Act, which took effect on January 1, 1996 and began deregulation of the province’s electricity market. 1996 – The Electric Utilities Act takes effect and the Power Pool of Alberta (PPA) comes into existence.
Is ENMAX government owned?
ENMAX is a private corporation incorporated under the Alberta Business Corporations Act whose sole shareholder is The City of Calgary. Calgary’s City Council acts in the capacity of the Shareholder on behalf of Calgarians.
Is direct energy and atco the same?
After the deregulation of Alberta’s gas and electricity market in 2004, Direct Energy purchased the retail divisions of ACTO Gas and ATCO Electric and continues to offer those services through our regulated company, Direct Energy Regulated Services (DERS), a subsidiary of Direct Energy Marketing Ltd.
What is the role of the Alberta energy and utilities Board?
We regulate the safe, responsible, and efficient development of Alberta’s energy resources, including oil, oil sands, natural gas, and coal.
What does FortisAlberta do?
FortisAlberta is an electricity distribution provider, not a billing company (retailer). Customers in Alberta are free to purchase natural gas services or electricity services from a retailer of their choice. For a list of retailers, visit ucahelps.alberta.ca or call 310-4822 (toll free in Alberta).
Is it worth complaining to the energy Ombudsman?
The answer is yes. If you’re still unhappy, the ombudsman can help you get a response from your energy company, whether it’s an apology, a clearer explanation or even some form of financial recompense.
How do I complain about electricity in my area?
The telephone number 1912 is specifically allotted to Electricity Call Centers for handling power supply related complaints. The customer complaints are registered and forwarded to the field personnel for timely action and rectification.
What level of government controls electricity?
Provinces and territories hold jurisdiction over electricity planning and operation, while the federal government holds jurisdiction over emissions reduction regulations, interprovincial transmission projects, and international commitments, among others.
What government agency regulates the electric utilities?
Section 38. Creation of the Energy Regulatory Commission – There is hereby created an independent, quasi-judicial regulatory body to be named the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
Who regulates energy in Canada?
The Canada Energy Regulator (CER)
The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) works for you to keep energy moving safely and efficiently through our country’s pipelines and powerlines.