
Alberta government officials are sounding the alarm over new federal electricity regulations, warning that they will lead to skyrocketing costs and a significant decline in grid reliability.
On Thursday, Alberta's Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz and Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf issued a joint statement citing new analysis from the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO).
The report estimates that the regulations, which became law in December, will cost Albertans $30 billion, increase electricity prices by 35%, and make the province’s power grid 100 times less reliable.
“For years, provinces, industry, experts and businesses urged the federal government to abandon their reckless and costly net-zero electricity regulations,” the ministers said.
“Now, the Alberta Electric System Operator has confirmed these regulations will put a massive $30-billion bill on Albertans.”
Schulz and Neudorf argue that Alberta has already made significant emissions reductions without federal intervention. They claim that electricity emissions have fallen by 59% and will continue to decline without the new rules.
The ministers accuse Ottawa of prioritizing punitive policies over affordability and grid stability.
“It’s clear the federal government’s new regulations aren’t actually about reducing emissions,” they said. “Just like with the carbon tax, the real goal is punishing businesses, provinces and families for using natural gas for reliable, dispatchable power.”
The Alberta government has vowed to fight the regulations in court, calling them unconstitutional. They also urged the next federal government to repeal the measures.
“Until then, we will keep standing up for Albertans and continue preparing to oppose these unconstitutional rules in court — where we fully expect to win, again.”