For the privilege -- We pay AltaLink!

Over the course of the next couple of weeks Alberta’s ratepayers will pay AltaLink $35 million for the expenses AltaLink incurred in its 2007 application to build a 500kV transmission line from Edmonton to Calgary. The line was never built. AltaLink’s 2007 application to build a transmission line was rejected, and the hearing was voided by the EUB due to the apprehension of bias. The Alberta Court of Appeals later vacated all of the EUB’s decisions relating to the transmission line, due to the same circumstances of bias.
In summation, landowners (ratepayers) had successfully argued to the court that the application and hearing process was in effect -- fixed, and that the Board, supported by AltaLink, did not act appropriately or with due care for the public’s right to question the need for the transmission line.
During the 2007 hearings the Government of Alberta got caught red-handed spying on landowners. AltaLink denied, under oath, any knowledge of the spying. However, documents later obtained under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act contradict AltaLink’s denials, raising serious questions concerning perjury and AltaLink’s involvement in the spying incident. AltaLink also supported and advocated for most every decision the EUB made, and opposed every motion and request the rate paying landowners made during the 2007 hearings. AltaLink readily admits they did an extremely poor job in 2007 consulting with the public, which was one of their prime responsibilities.
The shameful insult now thrust upon Alberta’s rate payers is that the public will now pay AltaLink $35 million for the privilege of their less than competent participation and defence of a proceeding that Alberta’s ratepayers claimed was a violation of their rights! Adding insult to injury, the Board’s decision to reimburse AltaLink includes pay bonuses and pay incentives!
Making the public pay AltaLink bonuses and pay incentives for the 2007 fiasco is absolutely ludicrous.

Joe Anglin
Rimbey Alberta
(403) 843-3279