Utility rebates to begin next month

Eligible Albertans can expect to see an automatic $50 rebate on their bills. It is being applied directly to eligible utility bills, meaning no application or other action is needed to start receiving the rebate in July.

Consumers wishing to protect themselves from price volatility may enter into a competitive fixed-rate contract and still be eligible for the $50 rebates. Albertans can visit the Utility Consumer Advocate to see what products are available in their area.

The rebate will be listed on each bill as a line item titled “GOA Utility Commodity Rebate,” and $50 rebates will follow in August and September, for a total of $150. Exact timing will vary depending on the billing cycle of one’s utility provider.

Consumers who believe they meet the eligibility criteria but have not received the rebates by the end of July should contact the Utility Consumer Advocate.

The provincial government also announced on Wednesday that the fuel tax relief program will continue until September. Fuel prices have continued to increase nationwide. Currently gas prices in Medicine Hat are about $1.91 per litre.

The government says with the relief program in place Albertans will save between $6.80 and $18.50 every fill up depending on the type of vehicle being driver.

The government committed to evaluating the program quarterly and reinstating it in stages only if the average price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil fell below $90 per barrel. For the four-week period ending June 15, WTI averaged $115.88 per barrel.

“This is the definition of ‘too little, too late,’” said Kathleen Ganley, NDP Critic for Energy. “It’s been more than three months since Travis Toews promised these rebates and even more since they were needed. That’s months of punishing bills that have soared by hundreds of dollars above what Albertans paid last year.

“This month, families will get $50 back. That’s not nothing but it doesn’t even put a dent in the electricity bill, let alone all the other costs the UCP has piled onto Alberta families. The UCP still hasn’t gotten their act together for natural gas rebates which they promised as far back as February.

“Meanwhile, Alberta families are paying a billion dollars more in income taxes, more for property taxes, tuition, student loan interest, camping, and car insurance, all thanks to the UCP,” Ganley said.

In March, the NDP says Ganley presented legislation that would protect Alberta families from having their power cut off if they were unable to pay their bill. The Opposition says the UCP blocked that from even being debated.

“The UCP is OK with Alberta families being forced to choose between putting food on the table and keeping the lights on,” Ganley said. “Fifty dollars is not going to solve that problem.”

(With files from rdnewsNOW)

by Regan Tate

Utility rebates to begin next month

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