A provincial state of emergency remains in effect due to numerous wildfires.
For wildfire related information, call the 24-hour info line at 310-4455 (available in 200+ languages) or visit alberta.ca/emergency.
A provincial state of emergency remains in effect due to numerous wildfires.
For wildfire related information, call the 24-hour info line at 310-4455 (available in 200+ languages) or visit alberta.ca/emergency.
A streamlined regulatory process makes it easier for Alberta’s electricity providers to carry out their winter construction plans.
A new code of practice for power lines impacting wetlands, which came into effect Dec. 23, maintains environmental protections and applies a more appropriate level of oversight for low-risk construction activities. This change will allow electricity providers to carry out important work on power lines without costly delays.
“Our government continues to take action on red tape reduction to make Alberta one of the freest and fastest-moving economies in the world. This code of practice supports Alberta’s electricity providers by reducing the administrative burden and project delay costs, while ensuring enforceable standards and conditions remain in place to protect our province’s wetlands.”
“Albertans expect us to ensure that we’re protecting the environment while we deliver reliable and affordable energy to their homes, farms and businesses. By streamlining this process, the code of practice for power lines impacting wetlands provides utilities with clarity on our environmental requirements and allows all of us to complete critical power line work in a shorter time frame.”
“Ducks Unlimited Canada has a proud history of working collaboratively with numerous partners, including industry and government, in the development of pragmatic conservation solutions for working landscapes. DUC supports innovative tools like codes of practice that, when applied appropriately, achieve the goals of the Alberta Wetland Policy while maintaining Alberta’s economic prosperity.”
Winter is the preferred construction season for Alberta’s electricity providers because they can minimize disturbance with wildlife and avoid difficult construction conditions due to wet or soft ground and expensive mitigation techniques.
The code of practice for power lines impacting wetlands was developed with input from affected operators and Ducks Unlimited Canada.
Alberta has declared Jan. 20-24 Red Tape Reduction Awareness Week. This coincides with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s own Red Tape Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness of the costs of regulatory burdens to businesses across Canada. This year, the CFIB gave Alberta B-minus for its efforts to cut red tape, the highest grade the province has ever achieved.
Code of practice:
Red tape reduction:
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimates that in 2017, the cost for businesses in Alberta to comply with regulations was about $4.4 billion.