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.… 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,… 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… 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… 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… 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.… 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… Continue reading Looking back on an important year for the AUC
Government of Alberta caps regulated rate option for remaining winter months The government of Alberta recently implemented a temporary price cap for Regulated Rate Option (RRO) electricity consumers to limit their exposure to high electricity bills during the winter months. The… Continue reading Government of Alberta caps regulated rate option for remaining winter months
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… Continue reading Help for utility customers at risk of being disconnected during winter months
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… 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… 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… 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… 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… 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… Continue reading Why was there an increase to my utility bill this month?
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… 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… Continue reading AUC holds Rule 007 virtual workshop to guide stakeholders through recent changes