Public Policy Positions
Alberta Transmission Policy
In the summer of 2009, the Alberta government introduced Bill 50, the Electric Statutes Amendment Act. In ENMAX's view, the Act entrenched a flawed transmission policy under which reliable and economically efficient non-wires options for meeting Albertans' electricity needs are precluded in favour of wires solutions. The Act also changed the regulatory framework to allow Cabinet to designate certain transmission projects as "critical transmission infrastructure," thereby eliminating any consideration of need by the Alberta Utilities Commission, independent industry experts, and the general public. ENMAX strongly and vocally opposed the bill, which eventually passed in November. ENMAX was and is concerned that the provisions of the bill will lead to excessive transmission costs for ratepayers. ENMAX is also concerned that decisions with respect to critical infrastructure will no longer have a firm foundation on engineering and economic principles.
National and Provincial Greenhouse Gas Reduction Policy
Our Views on GHG Policy Development
ENMAX remains firmly committed to the Alberta and Canadian governments’ objectives of reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs). ENMAX supports the development of a regulatory framework that will ensure that real GHG reductions (delivered at the lowest cost for the level of reduction achieved), do not result in material transfers of wealth amongst regions, respect the historical decision- making of each province and encourage turnover in capital stock to low and non-emitting supply options.
In 2009, ENMAX actively engaged in discussions regarding a potential cap and trade system with both the federal and Alberta governments. ENMAX also participated in the electricity sector component of the Baseline Industrial Emissions Requirements (Bliers) process aimed at developing base level emissions requirements for various industries. ENMAX was also a member of various other task forces and sub-committees to develop important elements of the larger emissions management framework.
Product and Service Compliance
Product and Service Compliance
There were no fines levied for non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning the provision and use of products and services at ENMAX in 2009. There were no reported incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning marketing communications in 2009.
ENMAX has programs for adherence to the rules related to marketing communications set out in the Code of Conduct Regulation, the Fair Trading Act and the Competition Act. All marketing communications are to be reviewed for compliance with these rules by ENMAX's Compliance and Legal Services groups. In accordance with the Code of Conduct Regulation, reviews of compliance with that regulation are undertaken quarterly and non-compliances are reported to the Market Surveillance Administrator.
The ENMAX companies do not sell any products that are banned in certain markets or the subject of stakeholder questions or public debate.
There were zero incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning product and service information and labeling in 2009.