(Pattison Media/CHAT News File Photo)

By Justin Goulet

Province extends electricity rebate program to December

Jul 6, 2022 | 8:45 AM

EDMONTON, AB – Nearly two million homes, farms and businesses in Alberta will receive electricity rebates for the rest of the year.

The provincial government said Wednesday that this will help to cover high bills amid rising energy costs. Alberta’s electricity rebate program will now offer about $600 million in relief through the rest of 2022, providing eligible residents with a monthly $50 bill credit for six consecutive months.

Starting this month, homes, farms and small businesses in Alberta will receive monthly credits on their electricity bills. This will stretch until the end of December, for a total of $300 in rebates.

READ MORE: Utility rebates to begin in Alberta next month

The province’s Associate Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity Dale Nally said, “We are doubling the electricity rebate to help reduce the financial burden that many families in Alberta are dealing with due to the rising cost of living.”

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“This move will help millions of families and business owners pay their bills and keep their lights on while we continue working to build a stronger, more affordable long-term electricity system,” Nally said.

EXPANDED ELECTRICITY REBATE

As living costs continue to create challenges for Albertans, the government is providing an additional three months of bill credits to alleviate some of the high utility costs that many families and business owners have faced in recent months.

The expanded electricity rebate will hold the criteria currently in place:

• Albertans who are currently connected to the system that have consumed electricity within the past calendar year, up to a maximum of 250 megawatt hours per year, are automatically eligible for the rebates.
• Eligible Albertans can expect to see an automatic $50 rebate on their bills. No application or other action is needed to start receiving the rebate.

The extended monthly rebates will apply to the entire bill and not just the energy portion. Additionally, the $50 rebates will be on all eligible bills, which the province said will protect consumers on the variable regulated rate option, as well as those on competitive contracts.

The rebate for July will be listed on each bill as a line titled “GOA Utility Commodity Rebate”, and $50 rebates will follow in August, September, October, November and December for a total of $300. The exact timing will vary depending on the billing cycle of one’s utility provider.

UPCOMING NATURAL GAS REBATE

The provincial government is putting two programs in place to make sure utilities remain affordable while providing stability for Albertans through the next nine months.

Along with the electricity rebate, the natural gas rebate will protect customers using natural gas and other heating fuels from European-style price spikes.

As the electricity rebate reaches bills in July, the natural gas rebate will start in October. The province said it will be providing support until March 31, 2023, if prices remain high.

FIXED RATE CONTRACTS AND OTHER OPTIONS

In addition to the rebates, Albertans wishing to protect themselves from price volatility can also enter into a competitive fixed-rate contract. Details on what products are available can be found through the Utility Consumer Advocate website.

Consumers who believe they meet the eligibility criteria but have not started receiving the rebates by the end of July are advised to contact the Utility Consumer Advocate.

More information on the provincial government’s energy affordability programs is available at the Government of Alberta website.