Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

City Hall to push for changes in electricity distribution costs at next AUMA convention

May 31, 2022 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie City Council has endorsed taking a resolution about the cost of electricity to this fall’s Alberta Urban Municipalities Association Convention.

It calls on Alberta municipalities to lobby the provincial government the get rid of what it calls ” the disparity on electricity pricing for transmission and distribution charges across the province” and adopting something similar to what is being done in BC and Saskatchewan.

Mayor Jackie Clayton says there is a big difference in cost between Alberta’s two biggest cities and other communities.

“The cost, for example, in a city such as Edmonton or Calgary, (is) approximately $550 a household whereas in our region, these rates can be up to about $1300 a household.”

“Although the disparity of distribution and transmission rates is significant, we believe that with (the) support of Alberta municipalities, we can work with the government to find a sort of equated solution.”

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Clayton says there are things that can be done.

“For example, if every house in Edmonton and Calgary paid $7.00 more per month, our rates across the province would be more equalized.”

“There is such a population density in those centres that a small amount on them would (mean) a significant amount in our cost of transmission in this region.”

Clayton knows people in the two biggest cities would not want to pay more for utilities.

“However, we know in this region, we’re the economic engine in the province. There is a ton of oil and gas activity and forestry.”

“A significant amount of the Alberta economy comes from this region. At some point, there needs to be consideration about fair, equitable pricing across the province.”

The resolution has been seconded by the Town of Drumheller. It will be discussed and voted on at the AUMA Convention in Calgary in September.

Clayton says if this resolution is passed, it then becomes a priority of the association to take to the provincial government.