Premier Danielle Smith said a package of changes will likely be presented to cabinet at the end of 2023 or early next year
Will the UCP government call for incremental tweaks to the industry or something more revolutionary, such as changing the structure of the provincial power market?
The government vows reform is coming.
The throne speech Monday pointed out that electricity prices in the province are too high. Rates have gone from being around the lowest in the country to among the highest
“Over the coming months, Alberta’s government will work collaboratively with industry and consumers on a package of substantive reforms,” stated the throne speech, delivered by Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani.
“These reforms will ensure ample natural gas-generated electricity is brought onto the electricity grid to ensure prices are pushed down and the lights always stay on.
“It will ensure that our electricity market is free from market manipulation and that ratepayers are not left with unaffordable electricity rates under what is now inappropriately termed the ‘regulated rate option.’ ”
Those are weighty pledges, yet it’s still uncertain precisely what steps the government will take.
