EPCOR power disconnections — energy poverty in Edmonton

CBC News, "Epcor has shut off power for 200 Edmonton customers since winter disconnection ban ended" (July 2022).

Key passages / figures: - ~200 customers disconnected since the winter disconnection ban ended, representing ~0.1% of the ~200,000 Edmonton customers on the regulated rate (RRO). - EPCOR states disconnection is "always a last resort" and not entered into until all other attempts to resolve outstanding balances are exhausted. - Reported case: an Edmonton customer relying on her Canada Pension Plan disability benefit to cover rent was left with insufficient funds for her power bill and was disconnected — a concrete face of energy poverty.

Context on rates (EPCOR / Alberta): the province removed electricity price caps (previously capping at 6.8 cents) in 2019; electricity averaged ~$47/MWh in 2020 under regulation vs. ~$107/MWh in 2021 (figures cited by Councillor Janz). On Jan 1, 2025 the default option changed from the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) to the Rate of Last Resort (RoLR), a fixed regulated rate set for Jan 1 2025 - Dec 31 2026.

Original source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/epcor-has-shut-off-power-200-edmonton-customers-1.6514114 Original source: https://www.epcor.com/ca/en/ab/edmonton/account/rates/how-rates-are-set/understanding-the-regulated-rate-option.html Retrieved: 2026-07-04