In Bulletin 2024-12, the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) announced a new process for utility franchise agreements and franchise fee approvals resulting from the Utilities Affordability Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (the Act). The amendments came into force on June 20 and any impacted franchise agreements will terminate on March 17, 2025 unless they are approved or re-approved by the Commission.[1]
In proceeding 29093, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) applied for the approval of new and amended market mitigation independent system operator (ISO) rules to be in effect by July 1, 2024. On June 19, 2024, the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) approved the rules on an interim basis and subsequently initiated a proceeding to consider approving these rules on a final basis. Nine intervenors submit their intentions to participate in the proceeding along with their written statements.[1]
In proceeding 29106, ATCO Electric and ATCO Gas (ATCO) apply for a review and variance on Decision 28300-D01-2024, in which the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) decided to reopen ATCO’s 2018-2022 performance-based regulation (PBR) to examine the reasonability of ATCO’s 2021 and 2022 rates of return.
In Proceeding 28989, The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) responds to information requests (IR’s) filed by intervenors and the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission or AUC) regarding its application to update its Rate Demand Opportunity Service (DOS). With these updates, the AESO aims to make the Rate DOS technology agnostic, simpler, and easier to administer.
In proceeding 28717 the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) approves EPCOR Energy Alberta GP (EPCOR) 2024-2025 energy price setting plan (EPSP) with one deviation from their original application. That being the change of other risk compensation requested by EPCOR from $0.04 MWh to $0.02 MWh. The Commission also directed the filing of an executed backstop agreement with attachment, once completed.
In proceeding 29065 ENMAX Power Corporation (ENMAX) proposes revisions to its Distribution Tariff Customer Terms and Conditions, Distribution Tariff Retailer Terms and conditions, and Distribution Tariff Terms and Conditions Fee Schedule (together, T&C). The revisions proposed are to ENMAX’s current T&C that were approved in Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) in Decision 28575-D02-2024.
ENMAX is requesting amendments to the following areas of their T&C’s:
In proceeding 28170 the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) approved a Settlement Agreement between the Alberta Utilities Commission Enforcement staff and Energy Sustain Service Ltd. (ESS). The settlement is in relation to the operation of a power plant by ESS without the required approval from the Commission. As is contained in the settlement, the Commission imposed a penalty on ESS of $10,000.00 for this contravention. [1]
In proceeding 28300, the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) determined that it will reopen the 2018-2022 PBR term (PBR2) of ATCO Gas and ATCO electric (collectively referred to as ATCO). The Commission found specifically within the years of 2021 and 2022 the PBR plan did not operate as intended. This created rates that were not just and reasonable within those years for consumers along with rates of return achieved by ATCO that exceeded the approved amount. The Commission will therefore reopen PBR2 but will only focus on 2021 and 2022. [1]
In proceeding 28574, the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) denies the application by ENMAX Power Corporation (ENMAX) to review and vary AUC decision 27388-D01-2023. The Commission deduced that ENMAX did not prove on a balance of probabilities that the decision contained an error of fact, or mixed fact and law.[1]
In proceeding 28989, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) submits an application before the Alberta Utilities Commission (the Commission) to update its Rate Demand Opportunity Service (DOS). With these updates, the AESO aims to make the rate technology agnostic, simpler, and easier to administer. One key issue the AESO hopes to resolve with this update is to make it easier for energy storage resources to participate in Alberta’s market; but the AESO also emphasizes that these changes will benefit all users of the DOS rate and demand transmission service (DTS).[1]