Dear Premier Smith – Affordable Energy

Dear Premier Smith,

Doubtless you are as concerned with the high cost of everything in Alberta as are so many of us, and especially those on fixed incomes. Inflation and shrinkflation are eating away at the savings of pensioners and those trying to get there. The hard working class citizens of Alberta and those hoping to enjoy retirement struggle to pay for the necessities of life and perhaps a few extras that enhance life for their families. The ‘FREE’ market continues to profiteer during the controlled collapse of our once sovereign, national economy.

  The skyrocketing cost of energy in a resource based economy is making less sense every day to the people and businesses that need it to live and prosper. The spectre of a ‘heat or eat’ dilemma is yet again approaching as we move into winter.

  I have attached my recent Enmax bill that is representative of the puzzling costs associated with any energy service provider and irrespective of seasonality as energy needs change. Even after pursuing special rate plans and being very mindful of electricity and gas consumption it’s clear that it’s the ‘other’ charges that make energy and life in general so unsustainably expensive.

  As per my last Enmax statement this household used $9.99 in electricity based on a certain market rate. That it would cost $53.57 to deliver this product should raise some alarm. On this same statement $4.13 in natural gas was consumed which cost an additional $45.46 to have it delivered. Consider that if households would just shut off their electrical breakers and main gas shutoff valves they would still be subject to charges and fees. Of course these households would shiver in the dark as they ration out food that they can ill afford. This without considering the high cost of other services that are also regulated out of sensible costs for actual consumption.

  In any, ‘FREE’ market economy, deregulated or not, any company that had to charge five times the value of a product to have it delivered would soon go out of business. That the consumer is held captive to this scheme should be illegal. Not every household can afford to go ‘off grid’ to avoid participating in these unsustainable schemes.

  Granted that there are costs associated with delivering energy to the people but perhaps there is a more equitable method for calculating and assigning these costs.

Canadians are already highly taxed for declining services and the value of them. Questions of the reliability of our energy infrastructure are also a concern. Service disruptions and reliability seem to be a worldwide concern. Carbon taxes are proving to not be the solution but merely punative.

  Can an energy and resource rich province and it’s committed, thoughtful government address this source of economic harm being directed at all Albertans?

All but the wealthy and well connected are in a cost of living crisis. Will our Alberta government find a firewall for this issue as well?  

Sincerely,

Al Neitsch

Airdrie, Alberta

Response –

Office of the Premier

Re: Unsustainable Energy Charges ACCTS:00150009992

To: Al Neitsch

Dear Al Neitsch:

We have shared your comments and forwarded your email to the Ministry of Affordability and Utilities for consideration. Thank you for taking the time to write to Premier Danielle Smith.

Regards,
Premier’s Correspondence Unit
Communications and Public Engagement
Government of Alberta

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