The Industrial Association of Southern Alberta (IASA) has proposed a plan to tackle what it calls the electrical deregulation “crisis.”

“Alberta’s manufacturers and processors want stable and competitive prices so that they can compete on an equal footing in national and international market places for their products,” IASA says.

It suggests:

* Sufficient time is needed to permit the Market Surveillance Administration Chairman to investigate non-competitive practices by MAP auction participants.

* The government should accept the recommendations of its Market Surveillance Administrators and proceed quickly with implementation of the recommendations that were issued Oct. 13, 2000. This should be completed by Jan. 1.

* The government must move quickly to implement its 10-Point Plan and provide completion dates. This should be completed by Jan. 1.

* Government should accept and acknowledge its responsibility for the electrical crisis by fully shielding all Alberta consumers from electricity commodity prices exceeding $60 per MWh using revenue from non-taxpayer sources until the deregulated market in Alberta can be seen to be repaired. This should be in place by Jan. 1.

* Government should fully compensate all Alberta electrical consumers the cost of rate recovery riders approved by the Alberta Energy Utility Board and municipal councils. This should be completed by April 1.

* Government should develop a consumer education and conservation program, implemented as soon as possible in order to minimize electrical usage by Albertans during peak price periods. This should be completed by Jan. 1.

* Government should provide financial incentives for new electrical generation in order to increase the availability of reliable electrical generation capacity within Alberta. This should be completed by Jan. 1.

* Government should examine all available alternatives which would reduce our reliance on B.C. Power. This should be completed by Jan. 1.

* By Dec. 31, government should commit to four objectives and adopt them as a sacred covenant with Albertans. The objectives would be:

a) To establish a mechanism and structure for the deregulated market that is fair to all Albertans.

b) To establish industry structure and regulatory reforms that preserve and enhance the Alberta Advantage.

c) To ensure a smooth transition to a deregulated market for electricity in Alberta that respects the interests of all electrical consumers.

d) To provide effective market monitoring and surveillance in order to encourage stable and competitive pricing for Albertans.