We regulate the safe, responsible, and efficient development of Alberta’s energy resources, including oil, oil sands, natural gas, and coal.
What is the role of the AER?
The AER regulates wholesale and retail energy markets, and energy networks, under national energy legislation and rules. Our functions mostly relate to energy markets in eastern and southern Australia.
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.
Who regulates utilities in Alberta?
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.
Is Alberta Energy Regulator a government agency?
The AER operates at arm’s length from the Government of Alberta, under an appointed board of directors headed by Chair David Goldie.
Alberta Energy Regulator.
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Agency executive | Laurie Pushor (Alberta), President and Chief Executive Officer |
| Parent department | Ministry of Energy |
| Website | www.aer.ca |
What does AER stand for in Alberta?
This EnerFAQs explains how the Alberta Energy Regulator, or AER, ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of oil, oil sands, natural gas, and coal resources over their entire life cycle.
Who regulates the energy sector?
Energy regulation
The electricity and gas markets are regulated by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, operating through the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). Ofgem’s role is to protect the interest of consumers by promoting competition where appropriate.
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 regulates gas prices in Alberta?
the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)
Customers who don’t sign a contract for natural gas or electricity are served by a Regulated Retailer. The Regulated Rates are reviewed and approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) and can change from month to month.
Who sets electricity rates in Alberta?
The delivery of electricity is regulated and won’t change from one retailer to the next. The AUC determines the delivery costs for transmission and distribution through a review process where the UCA represents retail customers in these proceedings.
Why do we regulate utilities?
Electric utilities govern the prices charged, the terms of services to consumers, budgets, and construction plans. Regulations ensure that fair pricing for service is offered and that service is adequate and responsive to consumer needs.
Who owns electricity in Alberta?
Electricity generation sector
—supply about 80% of the province’s generation capacity. The generation sector in Alberta is dominated by TransAlta (formerly Calgary Power), ENMAX, and Capital Power Corporation, a spin-off of Edmonton’s municipally owned company EPCOR.
What is a utility right of way Alberta?
A utility right-of-way is an easement granted to The City, by a property owner, which gives shallow utilities a place to put their infrastructure – both above and below ground. All properties contain a road right-of-way, but only some properties have a utility right-of-way on them.
What does energy regulatory board do?
A world class and independent electric power industry regulator that equitably promotes and protects the interests of consumers and other stakeholders, to enable the delivery of long-term benefits that contribute to sustained economic growth and an improved quality of life.
What does the Department of Energy regulated?
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. FERC also reviews proposals to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines as well as licensing hydropower projects.
Is the Department of Energy part of the federal government?
The Department of Energy has one of the richest and most diverse histories in the Federal Government.
Who funds the AER?
The AER is 100 per cent funded by industry and is authorized to collect funds through an administrative fee levied on energy development projects and activities. This model is used by other regulatory agencies in North America, such as the Alberta Utilities Commission and the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission.
How is AER paid?
The formula for AER is AER = (1 + i/n)^n − 1. ‘i’ represents the annual interest rate as a decimal, while ‘n’ is the number of times the interest is paid throughout one year. Don’t worry if you’re confused.
Where does Alberta electricity come from?
About 89% of electricity in Alberta is produced from fossil fuels– approximately 36% from coal and 54% from natural gas. The remaining 10% is produced from renewables, such as wind, hydro, and biomass.
Who do you complain to about energy companies?
You can complain to the energy ombudsman if you’ve already complained to your energy company and either: you’re not happy with their decision. you’ve not been given a decision within 8 weeks.
What are the four sectors of energy?
The four sectors that consume primary energy and electricity: transportation, industry, residential and commercial.