Alberta NDP call on UCP to improve electricity rate protections

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Alberta’s official opposition is asking for extra motion to handle excessive electrical energy charges after information was launched exhibiting that almost half the present price to some clients must be paid out subsequent yr.

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Alberta Utilities Fee information reveals charges for purchasers on regulated charge choices hovered between 27 and 29 cents per kilowatt hour in January. NDP vitality critic Kathleen Ganley stated these numbers signify a 350 % improve in costs for the reason that LDP first shaped authorities. She stated that underneath the federal government’s present worth deferral plan, nearly half of these prices will likely be was debt till after this yr’s scheduled election.

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“Albertans are already struggling to place meals on the desk and hold the lights on. Accumulating extra debt in the midst of an affordability disaster does nothing to assist them in the long run,” Ganley stated. “All this does is make Albertans’ energy payments look good till after the election. It is a rip-off, if the VKP needs to name it a charge cap, they need to herald an actual one.”

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The UCP authorities launched an electrical energy worth safety plan final yr as half of a bigger affordability measure. Beneath the present plan, clients with the regulated charge choice won’t be charged greater than 13.5 cents per kilowatt hour in January, February or March. As an alternative, any prices over that worth ceiling could be deferred till charges fall, permitting customers to repay these elevated prices over a 21-month interval from April to December 2024.

The federal government’s web site says the safety plan is a short lived measure carried out whereas long-term options are explored. The AUC web site reveals electrical energy costs have risen steadily since November 2022. Final January, regulated charge choice costs ranged between 15.8 cents and 16.41 cents per kilowatt hour.

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On Thursday, Ganley known as the answer “half-baked” and stated it was a delay scheme. Citing a latest research from the College of Calgary’s College of Public Coverage, she stated the province generated greater than $100 million in income from a renewable vitality program launched in 2016 and stated these funds could possibly be used to handle excessive vitality prices.

The cash could possibly be used to assist Albertans with their greater utility prices, particularly low-income Albertans who’re at present struggling probably the most, Ganley stated. “The UCP’s utility deferral scheme is simply piling extra debt on Albertans, which is the very last thing most Albertans want proper now.”

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She known as on the federal government to implement a full worth cap, just like what the NDP created whereas increasing an electrical energy rebate program at present in place to incorporate seniors and renters.

Andrea Farmer, press secretary for Affordability and Utilities Minister Matt Jones, stated the federal government is taking steps to guard customers and stated the cap and the ensuing delay will assist ease stress on Albertans.

“Alberta’s authorities additionally supplies interest-free loans to RRO suppliers in order that this safety could be offered to taxpayers with out curiosity,” stated Farmer. “There are roughly 800,000 Albertans on the RRO who now obtain this worth safety, and we’re defending them from worth will increase.”

The speed cap is a part of a $2.8 billion affordability package deal launched by Premier Danielle Smith, which additionally contains month-to-month funds of $100 to eligible Albertans, a suspension of the provincial gas tax and earnings tax reduction measures.

dshort@postmedia.com