Latest news with #AUC
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Company planning Alberta solar plant project owes citizens' group $238K: AUC
A solar panel board is seen in this undated image. (Pixabay/Pexels) The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) is taking action against a company planning to build a solar farm in an Alberta hamlet for failing to comply with an order to pay a local citizens' group more than $238,000. On May 28, the commission sent a notice of non-compliance to PACE Bang Energy LP (Pace), which was approved to construct and operate a 14.67-megawatt (MW) solar farm in Caroline, Alta., earlier this year. According to the notice, the AUC issued a costs decision on March 14, ordering Pace to pay the Caroline Concerned Citizen's Group (CCCG) $238,950.20 as intervener costs awarded for its participation in the proceedings. 'Pace failed to pay intervener costs to the CCCG and is in breach of the costs decision, the related order to pay costs in accordance with that costs decision, and a subsequent ruling confirming its obligation to pay those costs,' the AUC notice reads. Pace had until April 14 to pay the group. It instead filed an application to review the decision on April 14. The company also filed for permission to appeal the costs decision. 'Neither the filing of an application for review nor the filing of an application for permission to appeal acts to stay an order or direction of the AUC,' the AUC notes. Two days later, on April 16, Pace filed a motion to suspend the costs decision, pending the conclusion of its application for review. The company argued that paying the costs would force it to delay the development of at least five projects and cause 'consequent harms that represent a financial burden impacting Pace's operational flexibility, investment capabilities, relationships with key consultants and vendors, and the stability required for ongoing business activities.' The commission temporarily suspended the implementation of the costs on April 17, pending a decision on Pace's motion. The motion was ultimately denied on May 8. The commission directed Pace to pay the CCCG within seven days of the ruling. The commission said the CCCG filed a letter on May 23, informing them that payment of the costs had not been made by Pace within seven days of the ruling. 'The CCCG asserted that this represented willful non-compliance with the commission's order and requested that the commission take a number of steps to address that non-compliance,' the notice reads. The notice of non-compliance issued on Wednesday by the commission directed Pace to show cause why it should not take action against the company, listing several measures, including: Adding the other applicants involved in the project as liable to pay the intervener costs award; Awarding interest on the costs until payment is made; Suspending processing of approvals and orders for the Caroline Solar Farm; Suspending processing of current applications filed by Pace or its affiliates; Ceasing the acceptance and processing of new applications from Pace; Requiring Pace to provide up-front security for intervener costs connected to any pending or future applications; Bringing an application for contempt under the Alberta Utilities Commission Act; and Any further orders, directions or proceedings the commission deems 'fit to make in the circumstances.' The notice directed Pace to file a written response by no later than June 2, at 4 p.m. CTV News has reached out to Pace for comment. The CCCG has been opposing the project, citing concerns about zoning upkeep and safety. The solar power plant would have a footprint of 80 acres, about the same size as the hamlet of Caroline. The project is set to be built on land designated for residential and agricultural use. The Alberta Utilities Commission approved the project on February 28. With files from Alesia Fieldberg
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
ATCO says savings to come despite Alberta Utilities Commission decision
Southern Alberta-based ATCO says efficiency initiatives will save its utility customers more than $500 million despite an Alberta Utilities Commission decision. Article content Article content The AUC decision report that was released Wednesday notes that the commission found ATCO's performance-based regulation (PBR) plans 'did not operate as intended in each of 2021 and 2022.' Article content Through PBR, which is used to regulate distribution utilities in Alberta, utilities are incentivized to find efficiencies in their work and pass those on to customers through rates. Article content Article content ATCO maintains it operated within the PBR, and says established rules are now being interpreted and administered differently after the fact. It has been granted the right to appeal one of the AUC's reopener decisions, which will be heard in the Alberta Court of Appeal. Article content Article content Although it has been ordered to refund tens of millions, ATCO asserts that it should be held until the appeal is heard by the court in October. Article content The report does not directly dispute the $500 million in cost savings, and the chief operating officer of ATCO Energy Systems doesn't believe that is the AUC's intent. Article content 'This would be the AUC looking for an additional piece on top of that 500 million,' said Jason Sharpe. 'I wouldn't want someone to look at this decision and say, ATCO isn't committed to delivering lower rates for customers and being more efficient.' Article content In an email an AUC spokesperson said the regulator won't be providing interviews on the matter, but noted it has directed ATCO Electric and ATCO Gas to refund a total of $71 million. Article content Article content This comes 'after finding the companies' 2021 and 2022 rates were not just and reasonable,' resulting in overcharging of customers. Refunds to ATCO Electric and ATCO Gas customers will be $35 million and $36 million respectively. Article content 'The refund will be provided over a six-month period from Sept. 2025 to Feb. 2026, through a rate rider on bills,' the email read. Article content However, ATCO's appeal has been granted the right to be heard, and if they are correct there would be no refund. Article content By going ahead of the appeal, he said customers could end up with a refund on their bill that gets 'clawed back' after the fact.
Leaders
3 days ago
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Foreign Minister Receives AUC Chairperson in Riyadh
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, have met in Riyadh, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). On Thursday, Prince Faisal bin Farhan received Youssouf at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Riyadh. During their meeting, the two officials reviewed the relations between Saudi Arabia and the African Union. They also explored ways to further bolster ties across various fields. Furthermore, the Saudi Foreign Minister and the AUC Chairperson discussed topics of mutual interest. The Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, and Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Fahd Al-Humaidani, attended the meeting. In mid-May, Youssouf met with Al-Khuraiji on the sidelines of the Arab League Summit in Baghdad. Both officials explored ways to strengthen the partnership between Saudi Arabia and the African Union (AU). They also discussed boosting support for the African Union's efforts in enhancing peace, development, and regional integration, according to the AU press release at the time. Saudi Arabia and the AU enjoy robust relations. In October 2024, the Kingdom hosted the New Africa Summit, on the sidelines of the 8th annual Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh. The New Africa Summit brought together global leaders and decision-makers to explore the vast economic opportunities and discuss challenges facing the African continent. It followed a Saudi-African Summit, held in November 2023, which aimed to foster bilateral relations and capitalize on the vast economic opportunities in Africa. Short link : Post Views: 5
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
ATCO Delivering Over $500 Million in Savings to Albertans: Undeterred by AUC Decision, ATCO Continues to Pursue Efficiency and Affordability for Customers
CALGARY, AB, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - ATCO Ltd. (TSX: ACO.X) (TSX: ACO.Y) /Canadian Utilities Limited (TSX: CU) ATCO is extremely disappointed with yesterday's AUC decision regarding regulatory rules. ATCO believes the AUC is now interpreting the rules differently than previously outlined. ATCO is the only Utility in Alberta to reduce distribution costs by 8 per cent and continues to drive affordability for Albertans along with regulatory fairness. View PDF ATCO is the only utility in Alberta to reduce distribution costs during the current five-year regulatory term and supported the PBR (Performance-Based Regulation) framework since its introduction. PBR incentivizes Alberta utilities to reduce costs while maintaining safe and reliable service and then share those cost savings with customers. ATCO is extremely disappointed with the position announced by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) yesterday. ATCO has already been granted the right to appeal the AUC PBR 2 Reopener decision, and the matter will be heard in the Alberta Court of Appeal this October. "ATCO operated within the PBR regulatory framework and is proud of the cost savings we have achieved for customers and for our business under PBR," said Jason Sharpe, Chief Operating Officer of ATCO Energy Systems. "Our employees put the customer at the centre of our business, enabling ATCO to deliver more than $500 million in savings in distribution costs, which customers are already benefitting from over the 2023-2028 period." "ATCO believes the rules that were established are now being interpreted and administered differently, after the fact," continued Mr. Sharpe. "We will continue to advocate for a regulatory framework that provides certainty for customers and industry alike." As an energy provider in Alberta for more than 110 years, ATCO remains steadfast in its mission to serve Albertans with integrity and a long-term vision for reliable and affordable energy. ATCO continues to be a leader in advocating for a fair, affordable, and efficient regulatory and business environment in Alberta. Background on Performance Based Regulation Rates for electric and gas distribution utilities in Alberta are set under a form of Performance Based Regulation (PBR). PBR is designed to mimic competition and encourage efficiency by providing incentives for the utility to reduce costs, while safeguarding reliability, and minimizing rate increases. The issue concerns the AUC's position that ATCO was not detailed enough in documenting the specific sources of all the cost savings achieved by its Alberta natural gas and electricity distribution utilities during the previous PBR period of 2018-2022. The AUC has previously acknowledged that "it is difficult, if not impossible, to identify and separate cost reductions that the ATCO Utilities would have undertaken" in response to the PBR framework from other factors. Yet in the May 2024 PBR2 reopener decision, the AUC claimed that the ATCO Utilities failed to fully quantify or attribute all efficiency gains under PBR to specific programs or initiatives —leading to today's remedy decision. This contradiction underscores the pressing need for regulatory certainty. While the May 2024 PBR2 reopener decision is currently under appeal, ATCO requested that the AUC delay determining any remedy until the appeal is resolved. That request was denied. From 2023 – 2028 ATCO Gas and ATCO Electric businesses will deliver over $500 million in distribution savings to its Alberta customers, already reducing distribution costs charged to customers by eight per cent. ATCO is the only Alberta utility that delivered natural gas and electricity rate reductions to customers at the end of the PBR2 period. While ATCO disagrees with the remedy decision issued, we remain proud to have already reduced rates for customers through the actions taken. Distribution rates are the costs of operating the pipes and wires that provide natural gas and electricity to homes and businesses and represent the portion of the utility bill for which ATCO Gas and ATCO Electric are responsible. About ATCO As a global enterprise, ATCO Ltd. and its subsidiary and affiliate companies have approximately 21,000 employees and assets of $27 billion. ATCO is committed to future prosperity by working to meet the world's essential energy, housing, security and transportation challenges. ATCO Structures designs, builds and delivers products to service the essential need for housing and shelter around the globe. ATCO Frontec provides operational support services to government, defence and commercial clients. ATCO Energy Systems delivers essential energy for an evolving world through its electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution, and international electricity operations. ATCO EnPower creates sustainable energy solutions in the areas of electricity generation, energy storage, industrial water and cleaner fuels. ATCO Australia develops, builds, owns and operates energy and infrastructure assets. ATCO Energy and Home Services provides retail electricity and natural gas services, home maintenance services and professional home advice that bring exceptional comfort, peace of mind and freedom to homeowners and customers. ATCO also has investments in ports and transportation logistics, the processing and marketing of ash, retail food services and commercial real estate. More information can be found at Media Inquiries: Kurt Kadatz Director, Corporate Communications [email protected] 587-228-4571 Forward Looking Information Advisory Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, references to reductions in natural gas and electricity distribution rates to be delivered to customers during the regulatory rate period from 2023-2028. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable based on the information available on the date such statements are made and processes used to prepare the information, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. By their nature, these statements involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause actual results, levels of activity, and achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information reflects beliefs and assumptions with respect to, among other things, the applicability and stability of legal and regulatory requirements; continuing collaboration with certain business partners, and regulatory and environmental groups; the performance of assets and equipment; the ability to meet current project schedules, and other assumptions inherent in management's expectations in respect of the forward-looking information identified herein. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of, among other things, risks inherent in the performance of assets; applicable laws and regulations and the interpretation and manner of enforcement of such laws and regulations; changes to government policies; regulatory decisions; competitive factors; evolving market or economic conditions; credit risk; interest rate fluctuations; the availability and cost of labour, materials, services, and infrastructure; future demand for resources; the development and execution of projects; prices of electricity and natural gas; the risk of operational disruptions, outages, or force majeure events; the occurrence of unexpected events such as fires, extreme weather conditions, explosions, blow-outs, equipment failures, transportation incidents, and other accidents or similar events; global pandemics; the imposition of or changes to customs duties, tariffs or other trade restrictions; geopolitical tensions and wars; and other risk factors, many of which are beyond control. Due to the interdependencies and correlation of these factors, the impact of any one material assumption or risk on a forward-looking statement cannot be determined with certainty. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not exhaustive. For additional information about the principal risks that are faced by the companies, see "Business Risks and Risk Management" in Management's Discussion and Analysis for ATCO Ltd. and Canadian Utilities Limited, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2024. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents management's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The companies disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.
Daily News Egypt
25-05-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
AUC joins international initiative to bolster Egypt's healthcare system
The American University in Cairo (AUC) announced on Sunday that a team of its faculty and researchers is collaborating on a project to assess and enhance the Egyptian healthcare system, as the country aims to expand its national universal health insurance to all citizens by 2030. The AUC team, led by Hesham Dinana, an assistant professor in AUC's Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, is working alongside Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population, the London School of Economics, and other academics. This project is part of the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR), an international collaboration involving academia, governments, and the private sector, dedicated to strengthening healthcare systems worldwide. Egypt is noted as the first African country to join this global initiative. A comprehensive report, resulting from this collaboration, has analysed and provided recommendations across seven critical domains of Egypt's healthcare system: governance, financing, workforce, medicines and technology, service delivery, population health, and environmental sustainability, aiming to identify its strengths and weaknesses. 'This project aims to create lasting solutions that improve access, early detection, and overall care for all Egyptians. So many studies end up with recommendations that never go into action, and that's something I wanted to avoid from the beginning,' Dinana said. Building on the report's findings, the team is now developing two key initiatives for implementation within Egypt's healthcare reform. These include creating a centralised health data platform to improve decision-making and resource allocation, and establishing a fair financing system. This system will aim to match healthcare spending with the most common health issues and utilise new payment methods to maintain manageable and sustainable costs. Dinana explained that these efforts are designed to ensure resources are distributed where they are most needed. 'By using advanced data and innovative payment models, we can create a system that not only improves healthcare outcomes but also makes it more affordable and equitable for all, especially the most vulnerable populations.' The research team is currently working with the government and the private sector to launch educational and advocacy programmes that will support the implementation of these initiatives. Serving on the project's advisory board from AUC are Mohamed Salama, professor and graduate programme director at AUC's Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology (IGHHE), and Fayrouz Sakr-Ashour, assistant professor at IGHHE. The report's AUC-affiliated co-authors include Basma Saleh (MPH '23), Hebatalla Ismail (MPH '24), Eman Abu Aly (MPH '25), and Marwa Hafiz (MPH '25), who also serves as the project's coordinator. Researchers from other institutions contributing to the report include Fatma MA Barakat from the American University of Beirut and Ranin Soliman from the University of Oxford. 'We as a team believe that focusing on healthcare and education as Egypt's top priorities is crucial right now,' Dinana noted. 'Healthcare is not just a medical field; it intersects with finance, economics, communications, and engineering. It requires a diverse set of skills, many of which we have here at AUC. This partnership demonstrates that we are trusted to produce world-class solutions,' he concluded.
