A resolution drafted by the Town of Drumheller for the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association’s (AUMA) to lobby for a better deal on electricity transmission and distribution process passed.
A contingent of councillors from the Town of Drumheller attended the annual AUMA convention in Edmonton. Councillors Tom Zariski, Fred Makowecki and Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk presented the resolution, which was accepted with the support of 71 per cent of the membership.
“I am just so proud of council on how they have taken the bull by the horns for the province generally,” said Mayor Heather Colberg. “It is something we have to consider when we are sharing 100 per cent of the cost of the roads in the province, we should be sharing the cost of utilities because we are all using it. It is great for Albertans across the province.”
Each year resolutions are presented by the AUMA membership. If passed, they become lobbying points for the membership of the organization when advocating for urban municipalities.
The town’s resolution centers on the cost of transmission and distribution on electricity bills. It resolves that “AUMA advocate for the Province to implement a modernized electrical system that has reasonable and predictable prices in order to support economic development throughout Alberta,” and further “AUMA advocate for the AUC to reduce the disparity in electricity pricing for transmission and distribution charges across the Province.”
“What we would like to see is the Provincial Government and the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) standardize transmission and distribution rates for all Albertans, just like the provinces of BC, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba already do. This will allow rural areas to survive and thrive and allow us to compete on the differences we can control as a municipality,” said Zariski in his presentation.
He said there was a consensus of council for the resolution, and while it affects residents’ bills, it also affects business.
“We are talking economic prosperity, and when we have businesses and corporations or any kind of plant you want to build in rural Alberta and if the electricity costs are going to be 300 per cent more than in Red Deer, Calgary, or Edmonton that doesn’t seem very conducive to any rural economic development,” he said.
Some of the opposition came from larger centres, including the Mayor of Calgary Naheed Nenshi. Zariski said while he spoke against it, it appeared there was some agreement.
“He wants it totally looked at and reorganized, and he’s probably right, that is what is needed. He’s not totally against it, he just wanted it different and a little bit more comprehensive even,” said Zariski.
Resolutions brought forward by regular members of the AUMA have an active life of up to three years, if not successfully completed before then.
