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ARTICLE · 07 JANUARY 2010

Alberta’s Electricity Transmission Debate – An Update On Bill 50

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On November 25, 2009, Bill 50, the "Electric Statutes Amendment Act, 2009", was passed (as amended) by the Alberta Legislature.

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On November 25, 2009, Bill 50, the Electric Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, was passed (as amended) by the Alberta Legislature. The bill amends three existing pieces of legislation: the Alberta Utilities Commission Act, the Electric Utilities Act and the Hydro and Electric Energy Act.

With the passing of Bill 50, the need identification process is eliminated for "critical transmission infrastructure" as designated by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, or as set out in a schedule to the Electric Utilities Act (the schedule having been added as a result of the amendments created by Bill 50). The Lieutenant Governor in Council can now designate "critical transmission infrastructure" if the infrastructure is:

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