The erroneous claims made by Premier Klein and Steve West over the past five years about electricity deregulation have been refuted by the facts. The facts clearly show that the government s bungling of electricity deregulation has led to higher prices for consumers, inadequate supply to meet rising demand, and critically low reserve margins on Alberta s electricity grid, said MacBeth. The problems of higher prices and inadequate supply must be laid at the feet of Ralph Klein and Steve West. It is clear that skyrocketing electricity bills, courtesy of Ralph Klein and Steve West, are putting a strain on family budgets, threatening the profitability of our small business sector, and forcing our seniors to chose between heating and eating . The government has squandered our resources and put our electricity system on the verge of a short-circuit, MacBeth concluded.
Competition equals lower prices.
Competition, good solid competition always, without exception, ,brings about lower prices. There is significant upside risk for next year given the state of the supply demand balance, prices in adjacent markets, current bidding behaviours in the pool and natural gas volatility. Prices are anticipated to increase in 2001. It is important for Alberta to ensure low-cost and reliable power into the future. That is not true .This supply more than matches the demand projected for Alberta.