WATCH ABOVE: TransAlta deliberately manipulated the electricity market to drive up the price of power, according to the finding of Alberta’s Utilities Commission. Tom Vernon has more.
CALGARY — The head of Alberta’s utility watchdog is welcoming a decision that concludes TransAlta triggered outages at power plants to raise electricity rates.
Harry Chandler, administrator for the Market Surveillance Administrator, says the decision by the Alberta Utilities Commission is a welcome step towards fair markets.
Chandler accused TransAlta of deliberately timing outages at coal-fired power plants in Alberta at peak times in late 2010 and early 2011 in order to drive up electricity prices.
In a report released Monday, Alberta’s Utility Commission agreed.
READ MORE: TransAlta timed power outages to drive up prices: Alberta commission
During hearings held by the commission, TransAlta argued that it believed it was allowed to do that based in part on discussions with the Market Surveillance Administrator.
But the commission found that TransAlta should have made further consultations before going ahead with its plan.
TransAlta has said it is reviewing the ruling, and a further response could include the possibility of an appeal to the province’s highest court.
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