Alberta Record

· Bill / New Levy · enacted

Bill 52 — New Consumer Awareness Surcharge for Electricity Services

This bill introduces a new consumer awareness surcharge that the Minister may impose on eligible electricity customers to fund programs informing them about electricity service options and markets.

Moderate impactCentralization of powerThe public, directly

What changed

  • A new section 103.1 is added, allowing the Minister to impose a consumer awareness surcharge on eligible customers via regulation (s. 103.1(1)).
  • The surcharge is for funding initiatives to inform customers about electricity service options, improve market knowledge, and cover administrative costs (s. 103.1(1)(a)-(c)).
  • The Minister gains regulation-making authority for the establishment, collection, remittance, rate, use, distribution, accountability, review, and adjustment of this surcharge (s. 108(1.1)).

Why it matters

  • Creates a new provincial levy on electricity consumers, expanding the scope of charges beyond direct utility costs.
  • Establishes a new program under direct ministerial control, funded by this surcharge, for public information campaigns.
  • Grants the Minister broad authority to define the terms and conditions of this surcharge and its associated programs through regulation.

Other governance concerns

  • New levy on citizens
  • Ministerial discretion over public funds

Primary sources (1)

Secondary sources (3)