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.

The AUC operates on the basis that there is significant opportunity to do things better and reduce regulatory burden – a commitment to improvement that applies to all aspects of its work. The AUC works continually to right-size what is required from a regulatory perspective to ensure ratepayers receive safe and reliable utility service at just and reasonable rates.

Since November 2019 the AUC has achieved a number of material improvements in its regulatory performance. These include:

• A 48.2 per cent reduction in the regulatory requirements, well ahead of the government’s target of a one-third reduction of mandatory requirements by 2023.
• A 36.1 per cent decrease in application-review time.
• A 32.1 per cent reduction in proceeding timelines as a result of assertive case management.
• A 50.1 per cent reduction in application review time by as a result of negotiated settlements.
• A 19 to 32 per cent reduction in facilities application processing times as a result of continuous process streamlining and a rationalization of application requirements, achieved as the number of applications received increased by 15 per cent.

As a result, the AUC now ranks in the top two quartiles of peer North American utility regulators when measuring the time it takes to review an application.

Why is efficiency and reducing red tape important?

As the utilities industry continues to evolve, it is critical that the AUC pursues and promotes efficiency of both itself and in the utilities it regulates. This helps ensure consumers bear the lowest prudent cost of regulation, while also ensure the utilities industry is not unnecessarily burdened by undue regulatory time and cost. It’s critical that the AUC provides a regulatory regime that is cost-effective, timely, and proportionate, while fostering a positive climate in Alberta to support investment and job creation.

The AUC remains committed to continuous regulatory enhancement, process improvements, and streamlining, while exploring emerging regulatory issues and serving as a resource for the government.

Looking forward, the AUC is continuing its works to adapt and modernize its regulatory practices to ensure its regulation is ready to meet the challenges of an evolving regulatory environment.

Further highlights and AUC accomplishments in reducing regulatory burden are acknowledged in the Ministry of Affordability and Utilities 2022-23 Annual Report.