Bill 50: The Electric Statutes Amendment Act, 2009: Lately electricity has been a hot topic around the province and for good reason: it is the foundation of our economy and a vital part of our everyday lives. In recent years, Alberta has led the country in electricity demand, with the equivalent of two Red Deer-sized communities being added to the provincial grid annually. Our provincial planner, the Alberta Electric System Operator (ASEO), forecasts a need for 11,500 megawatts of new electricity generation over the next 20 years in order to meet demand. Critical upgrades to Alberta’s transmission infrastructure are needed in order to effectively move that power around the province. Currently, our grid is aging, congested and inefficient because no major upgrades have been made in at least 20 years. As a result, our transmission system is working at or near its capacity for extended periods of time, leading to increased line losses costing Alberta taxpayers approximately $220 million in 2008. Information Sessions were held throughout the province from July 27th to August 20th.
Albertans have made it clear that they want more of their electricity to be produced from renewable sources. Many areas of renewable generation potential are geographically isolated from consumers and new transmission lines will ensure that these renewable sources of energy are readily accessible. By increasing the interconnectedness of the Alberta transmission system, these upgrades will give the consumer access to electricity producers that had previously been unavailable in their area. This increased cost would allow for more competition amongst electricity generators and as such, lower prices.

Bill 50, the Electric Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, proposes to provide government with the authority to approve the need for critical transmission infrastructure. This means that the Government of Alberta will be responsible for approving the need for these critical upgrades to the transmission system just as it does for other infrastructure projects that serve the public interest, such as roads, schools and hospitals. The ASEO has identified five critical transmission infrastructure projects that are required. The first of these projects, the southern system reinforcement, was approved by the provincial regulator on Sept. 8, 2009. Bill 50 approves the need for the remaining four critical projects. The impact to your power bill for these projects will be approximately $8.00 per month or $96.00 per year. This increase will begin in 2012 and will gradually appear on your bills over the following two to four years as transmission projects are completed. If these critical projects are not completed in a timely manner, the cost of energy in Alberta will rise quickly due to a lack of competition and inefficiencies in the system. The critical upgrades proposed will create a much more efficient transmission system which will allow for more electricity producers to put their products on the provincial grid, including the low cost of cogeneration from Northern Alberta. This increase in producers will create a more competitive market by providing consumers with more choices when it comes to their electricity provider.

There has been a lot of discussion about electricity transmission around the province recently and unfortunately there has also been some misinformation circulating. As your MLA, I am working diligently to make sure that you get all the facts surrounding this controversial issue and to ensure that our process works in a way that allows for the completion of critical transmission infrastructure projects while allowing Albertans the opportunity to not only voice their concerns, but to have those concerns addressed as well. Your input is essential and I would encourage you to share your comments with me on this very important issue so that I may share your views with caucus in the Legislature. Please feel free to call me should you have any questions and/or concerns about the Bill 50.

Thank you to all of those that have served and are currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.

A special thanks all my constituents who have taken the time to call, write and meet with me over the past several years. Your many well thought out comments and advice has been of immeasurable value to our Government and to all the people of Alberta. As always , my staff and I are available to answer any questions and/or concerns that you may have.

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As the MLA for Calgary Bow, I am always available to assist constituents. Should you have any questions or comments, I can be reached at:

Consituency Office (Calgary):   Edmonton: Toll-Free:

(403) 216-5400 (780) 415-9459 310-0000