Alberta pays highest power rates: study

Canadian Press - March 6, 2003

EDMONTON -- Another study has surfaced showing Albertans are paying the highest power rates in Canada.

The Manitoba Hydro survey of 32 cities, towns and rural areas across Canada shows seven Alberta municipalities, including Edmonton and Calgary, have the most expensive electricity rates.

Alberta opposition parties say this is further proof the Klein government bungled power deregulation.

Premier Ralph Klein says other provinces have cheaper rates because they have low-cost hydro-electric power.

But Liberal Leader Ken Nicol says the real problem is that Alberta's power prices are set according to the most expensive power plant running at the time -- which is often high-cost natural gas.

New Democrat Brian Mason says soaring energy prices have left Alberta with the highest inflation rate in Canada.

The Consumers Coalition of Alberta says deregulation should be shelved because it has failed to deliver low-cost power.

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