TransAlta admits power price manipulation

[DizzyEdge]

TransAlta admits power price manipulation


By Dina O'Meara, Calgary Herald November 8, 2011

TransAlta Corp. faces paying the highest penalty in Alberta's history after admitting to manipulating power prices last year, but critics say the $370,000 fine is a pittance compared with an estimated $5.5 million that consumers paid in inflated costs.

TransAlta, which controls 16 per cent of Alberta's commercial power, admitted to purposely blocking the import of cheaper hydroelectric power from British Columbia over 31 hours last November, creating an artificial shortage of electricity - and higher prices...


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/busines...#ixzz1dEggEgQ3

[DizzyEdge]

The fine should be 5.5 million ordered refunded to consumers, PLUS the $370,000 fine

[MalcolmTucker]

I agree. Another article:

TransAlta ruling fires up opposition

By Dina O'Meara, Calgary Herald; With Files From Kelly Cryderman, Calgary Herald. November 9, 2011 9:38 AM

“When someone breaks the rules, the seriousness of the punishment should be appropriate to the seriousness of the offence,” said Kent Hehr, opposition energy critic. “The responsibility of ensuring this never happens again falls squarely on the shoulders of government.”

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/busines...#ixzz1dElXLjwZ

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

The fine should be 5.5 million ordered refunded to consumers, PLUS the $370,000 fine

Yup, that would be fair. A $370 000 fine to them is loose change and won't affect anything.

[kw5150]

In other related news, another coal fired power plant has been approved in Alberta and does not have to adhere to new regulations to cut Co2 emissions by 50%.

[albertantraingeek]

Seriously? What's the reason for the exception? Enviro-weenies arn't gonna be happy about that one.
***

Somewhat related is that TransAlta closed off the Parking lot at the end of Bearspaw Dam Road in Calgary this week. No public access to the road on the other side. People were PISSED 'cuz it's a very popular spot for dog-walking. And that's putting in nicely. Too much trespassing on the RR tracks is what Im told >__> If thats the case then people kinda had it coming.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by kw5150

In other related news, another coal fired power plant has been approved in Alberta and does not have to adhere to new regulations to cut Co2 emissions by 50%.

The Federal Coal rules haven't been finalized yet, and there has been no special exception made in law. To be seen however is whether Environment Canada's comments on not wanting plants rushing to beat the proposed deadline to not need to comply with the 'as good as gas standard' for emissions will be enforced in some way.

[albertantraingeek]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

The Federal Coal rules haven't been finalized yet, and there has been no special exception made in law. To be seen however is whether Environment Canada's comments on not wanting plants rushing to beat the proposed deadline to not need to comply with the 'as good as gas standard' for emissions will be enforced in some way.

Thanks for clearing that up, I wondered because if that was the RR industry making exceptions, shit would've hit the ceiling, & I was worried that the same thing would happen here.