Enmax contests power-line legislation

Calgary's city-owned electric company has launched a public campaign to oppose Bill 50, which would give the Alberta government more control over building new power lines.

Enmax believes the bill would push through several multibillion-dollar projects and the cost passed onto consumers.

Gary Holden, president and CEO of Enmax, said the new projects won't affect Enmax's bottom line, but he feels the company has to try to protect its customers.

"We get our money through energy contracts with customers and so they have a choice, and then we don't make a profit off of transmission because it's a flow through," Holden said on Thursday.

"So there is no economic win or loss. There's only the reputational aspects of us having to tell our customers their prices are going through the roof."

Enmax launched a website on Thursday for public feedback on the legislation, and hosted a lunchtime open house in Calgary on the issue.

Gene Kozak, who was among the 500 people at the session, said he's worried about his power bill.

"Do we need the electricity or is this basically a corporate thing that's just happening because somebody's got a brain wave?," he said.

Bill 50, introduced in June, would eliminate the legal requirement for public hearings into new power lines.

The province argues that transmission lines should fall under the same criteria as infrastructure, like roads and hospitals, that don't require public input if the work is critical.

The energy minister has said new lines, especially two between Calgary and Edmonton, are critical to avoid widespread electricity outages amid heavy demand.

Household bills to rise by about $8

But Holden and Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier have joined the chorus demanding public hearings into why the lines are necessary, especially when taxpayers will be responsible for the cost.

"Why not have a public hearing process that confirms the need to actually build this costly infrastructure investment," said Bronconnier.

"I believe Enmax's position is that of most consumers saying let's just ensure that we actually need the infrastructure.Fifteen billion dollars is a lot of money."

The province said in June that costs for the first phase of the new transmission lines would add about $8 more per month per household bill by 2017.

Holden said electricity bills could triple under the government's plan.

Instead of new transmission lines, Enmax would prefer to see a new power plant built on the outskirts of Calgary.