Albertans are always proud of Alberta’s natural resources and its energy sector. Albertans work hard in oil and gas industry, other businesses and service sectors and keeping the economy moving forward even during this pandemic. Albertans accommodate the high risk of pollution of air, water and soil by oil, gas, and energy industries in hope of economic prosperity. But still Albertans are forced to pay high utility bill every month!

The hard-working families are being exploited by Utility companies with high monthly utility bill in the name of Distribution charge, Transmission charge, Delivery charge, Administration fee and Franchise fee in addition to the charges on actual used electricity and gas. Families are trying their level best to control consumption to bring the monthly utility bill to an affordable amount. But it is never possible with these added charges. The total of charges in different heads - Distribution charge, Transmission charge, Delivery charge, Administration fee and Franchise fee comes higher than the charge of the actual used energy!

The utility companies are using its bargaining power with government regulatory bodies that regulate these extra charges to keep it high. Since the energy sector is highly monopolized and controlled by very few players in Alberta, the common people and families are in a state of helplessness and losers in this business.

The legal framework related to utility-right of way is another area that requires attention. This only protect the interests of the utility companies and keeping Albertans on the loser side. The provision of utility-right of way gives power to utility companies to use the land free of cost, that is owned and paying taxes by  land/homeowners. Companies can place their infrastructure in the property, above the ground and below the ground. There is no provision for the owner to ask for rent or getting discounts in utility bill for numerous limitations they accommodate in their property. Many families, especially families having children are experiencing safety issues and concerns with the high voltage transformers placed permanently in their property. They experience limitations in home expansions, constructions, planting trees in their property and even affects the price of their property. Thus, utility companies are enjoying free service in the cost of the property owner. This is again a practice that is legalized with the larger influential and negotiation power of companies. The ordinary common people are again on the loser side.

Albertans deserve a fair deal – affordable utility and amendments to the legal provisions of utility-right of way which can protect the interests of common people.