Power Industry taking over Alberta bit by bit

Anti-Bill 46 campaign launched by group

Oct 26 2007

A campaign called Kill Bill 46 [http://www.killbill46.com/] is urging Central Albertans to fight the so-called attempt to erode landowners’ rights.

Public meetings are being held across Alberta to talk about Bill 46 and urge people to contact their members of the legislature and Premier Ed Stelmach.

The next meetings are planned for Stettler on Monday at 8 p.m. at the Recreation Centre, and Lacombe on Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Memorial Centre.

Joe Anglin of the Lavesta group, which successfully fought a proposed power line through Central Alberta, is heading the campaign against the bill.

Bill 46 will split the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board into separate bodies: the Energy Resources Conservation Board and the Alberta Utilities Commission.

The government says the legislation is meant to promote efficiency in the energy regulatory system.

But Anglin argues that the new legislation gives the commission too much power that can be abused at the expense of landowners.

Anglin said landowners would lose their right to be notified about a energy project on their land if the commission deems it does not affect them.

If the landowner is fortunate enough to be allowed a hearing, the commission could deny verbal submissions and funding for a lawyer.

Part of the bill states landowners must establish that they are directly or adversely affected in a “material way” by the project. But the term “material way” is new and not found in current legislation, opening the door to abuse.

“The bill virtually wipes out landowner and citizen rights to participate in what now would be an EUB process,” said Anglin.

The bill has received first reading and second and final reading could occur this fall and winter.

But Anglin said when he spoke to MLAs during the premier’s dinner in Red Deer last week, some hadn’t read Bill 46.

Anglin said the bill will face court challenges if approved.