Alberta takes fight against federal Clean Electricity Regulations to court

Alberta is taking the federal government to appeals court over its Clean Electricity Regulations, the province said Thursday.

The premier was joined by ministers from justice, environment, and affordability and utilities to announce the news.

Alberta has long-claimed the rules are unconstitutional and ineffective and will lead to increased costs and supply shortages.

“The federal government refused to work collaboratively or listen to Canadians while developing these regulations. The results are ineffective, unachievable and irresponsible, and place Albertans’ livelihoods – and more importantly, lives – at significant risk,” Premier Danielle Smith said. “Our government will not accept unconstitutional net-zero regulations that leave Albertans vulnerable to blackouts in the middle of summer and winter when they need electricity the most.”

Alberta says Canada’s constitution gives provinces “exclusive jurisdiction over the development, conservation and management of sites and facilities in the province for the generation and production of electrical energy” which is the basis of its newest legal case in the Court of Appeal of Alberta.

Canadas’s Clean Energy Regulations were finalized in December 2024. According to the feds, the rules are based on three principles: enable significant greenhouse gas reductions to ensure a net-zero electricity grid by 2050, enable provinces and territories to maintain electricity affordability for Canadians and businesses, and enable provinces and territories to maintain grid reliability as Canada’s electricity needs to grow.

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) said in a report issued earlier this year the rules will achieve the opposite in this province.

The province claims the rules will cost Albertans $30 billion, make the electricity grid 100 times less reliable, and increase electricity prices by 35 per cent.