Mason: stats show Albertans face massive power bil

May 16, 2011

Alberta's NDP Opposition leader Brian Mason is releasing a third-party document proving his point that Tory electricity deregulation will more than double costs for Alberta consumers within a decade.

  “This PC government’s deregulation is unleashing a wave of power cost increases like this province has never seen,” says Mason. “This government is kicking Albertans hard in the wallet.”

 A 65% increase in transmission costs by 2013 is predicted in a presentation from the Alberta Direct Connect Consumer Association, which represents large power consumers across the province. The presentation examines the impact of $13 billion in proposed power line projects long endorsed by the PCs, and enabled by the former Bill 50.

 “These are projects no one wants or needs – except the big power companies courted by the PCs,” Mason says. “PC deregulation has allowed power companies to build whatever they want, wherever they want, and send Alberta ratepayers the bill. And thanks to Bill 50, the government can deem these projects critical so Albertans have no say. It all leads to gouging of Alberta consumers.”

“Albertans deserve reliable and minimal power rates to power our homes and our economy. An NDP government would re-regulate the power grid to protect Albertans from gouging,” says Mason.

 A copy of the presentation is available for download.