Alberta expands electricity rebate

The Government of Alberta says it’s expanding the electricity rebate to help people throughout the winter, but the NDP suggests that doesn’t go far enough.

The government took to Twitter to make the announcement, saying Albertans will get $75 rebates for both January and February utility bills.

We are expanding the electricity rebate to help millions of Albertans pay their utility bills throughout the winter. Albertans will receive $75 rebates on their January and February utility bills, with another $25 in both March and April.

Learn more: https://t.co/ErYjTvBFQB pic.twitter.com/jEUrM0iwmM

— Alberta Affordability and Utilities (@AbAffordability) December 22, 2022

The expansion will also include March and April, with $25 rebates on bills for those months.

Despite the announcement, the opposition NDP issued a statement of its own Friday, saying electricity prices are expected to reach a record high in January.

“New figures released Thursday estimate the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) will be between 26-29 cents per-kilowatt-hour in January. Those rates are 350 per cent higher than they were under the previous NDP Government,” read the statement.

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“Albertans are already struggling during the affordability crisis,” said NDP Energy Critic Kathleen Ganley.

While the NDP notes the UCP has “introduced a monthly deferral program once prices go above 13.5 cents per kWh” in response to increasing prices, the New Democrats say this program only applies to home and building owners, excluding people renting apartments.

The NDP also says this program will make people pay higher prices next summer.