Wildrose Alliance Believes Bill 50 Passage Will Lead to Problems for Electricity Consumers and Ratepayers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Edmonton, AB (November 26, 2009):  Today, Danielle Smith (Leader, Wildrose Alliance Party) expressed her disappointment regarding the Stelmach government’s decision to push through Bill 50 in the face of growing public opposition.

“The Stelmach government had options that it could have pursued regarding electricity transmission, and instead, it took a path that has casually committed $14 billion dollars to a project that cannot truly be justified,” stated Smith.

The Wildrose Plan supports the construction of transmission lines that are in the public interest, are justified and are not subsidizing private business and special interests. Our priorities include:

• Ensuring that landowners and ratepayers have their interests protected through an independent needs hearing;

• Limiting the power of government and cabinet to build power lines across private property without proper public consultation;

• Building the right amount at the right time so that Alberta landowners and business do not subsidize private interests and power exports:

• Installing the right lines to meet the needs for Albertans local electric needs; and

• Establishing a competitive bidding process for future construction.

“Throughout this debate, we challenged the government to prove that this infrastructure was required, needed, critical and important. They haven’t been able to and they have not convinced leading academics and third-party watchdogs that the ends justify Bill 50’s means.”

“The Stelmach Tories didn’t get Bill 50 right and we will stand up for Alberta’s electricity consumers and ratepayers to make sure that this government does not override their private property interests or their pocketbooks.”

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