Advertisement

Notley fires back at power companies, says they want a ‘free ride’

Click to play video: 'Notley government taking Alberta power providers to court'
Notley government taking Alberta power providers to court
WATCH: The Alberta government is taking some of the province's biggest power providers to court. The NDP alleges a series of backroom deals involving Enron and the former PC government could cost consumers $2 billion. Fletcher Kent explains – Jul 25, 2016

EDMONTON – Premier Rachel Notley has come out swinging in the high-stakes court battle over hundreds of millions of dollars in electricity contracts.

Notley, in a speech in Ottawa, says the province is going to court to stop power companies from trying to get, in her words, “a free ride.”

The province has launched a court action to stop power companies from returning up to $2 billion worth of contracts from coal-fired power plants.

Those costs could ultimately be borne by consumers.

The deals were signed over a decade ago as the province deregulated the industry.

Notley’s government wants part of the deals quashed, saying its own arm’s-length energy regulator broke the rules in 2000 by inserting broad escape clauses at the last minute.

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices