The Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) has indicated its intent to further improve regulatory efficiency and reduce regulatory burden as part of its efficiency agenda.[1] In a round-table with industry stakeholders (i.e. utilities, consumer advocates, government etc.) the Commission discussed current processes and initiatives and what future regulatory approaches should look like.
The Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) has released a decision on whether ATCO Electric Ltd.’s (ATCO Electric) costs of assets destroyed in the Fort McMurray Wildfire are eligible to be included in rate base and recovered from customers or whether the shareholders bear the loss. This matter was previously deferred in the release of the first decision in Proceeding 22742.[1]
In the Alberta Electric System Operators (AESOs) Independent System Operator Tariff application, AltaLink Management Ltd. (AltaLink) – a transmission facility operator (TFO) – submitted an alternative customer contribution refund proposal which was approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission).
EPCOR Distribution and Transmission Inc. (EDTI) filed its 2020 – 2022 Transmission Facility Operator (TFO) Tariff Application with the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) in which it is requesting approval for a three-year test period, for the revenue requirements in the test years of $109.88 million for 2020, $113.50 million in 2021, and $116.27 million in 2022, and for its Terms and Conditions of Service.
The ENMAX Energy Corporation (ENMAX Energy) is the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) provider for ENMAX Power Corporation. ENMAX Energy is requesting approval for a new 2019 – 2022 Energy Price Setting Plan (EPSP) which establishes a new procurement method that relies on market forces which is used to set the energy price for RRO customers and to determine the commodity risk compensation (CRC).[1]
EPCOR Energy Alberta GP Inc. (EPCOR) is applying to the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) for approval of the arrangement between EPCOR and Fortis Alberta Inc. (Fortis) wherein EPCOR provides regulated rate option (RRO) services to Fortis.[1]
A resident of the Village of Delia appealed the utility charges for water services applied to a vacant commercial rental property at the AUC for improper imposition and undue discrimination in Proceeding 24678. The AUC released a decision on the appeal on October 1, 2019.
The Alberta Utilities Commission is reviewing the exemptions around power plant self-supply and export.
Alberta Utilities Commission approves AltaGas’ Review and Variance application of Decision 22750: The Generic Cost of Capital in Decision 23947.
On August 2, 2018, the Commission issued Decision 22570 regarding AltaGas Utilities Inc.’s approved return on equity and deemed equity ratio for all affected utilities for the test years of 2018 – 2020.[1] In the decision the Commission ruled AltaGas’ deemed equity ratio to be reduced from 41 % to 39 % to recognize AltaGas’ inability to obtain lower cost debt that is typically associated with A-level credit ratings. Historically, AltaGas has been granted a higher equity ratio because it was higher risk than other utilities. However, in order to ensure greater symmetry between the actual credit rating associated with AltaGas’ debt (a rating of BBB at the time) and its equity thickness, the Commission ruled that reducing equity thickness was warranted.