Dear Premier,
We, along with the rest of Canada, have been watching events unfold south of the border. We applaud your efforts to negotiate with the incoming Trump administration and keep the threat of tariffs at bay. But we question the Government of Alberta’s decision to allow Direct Energy Regulated Services (a division of NRG Energy Inc., an American corporation) to be a retailer of Alberta’s Rate of Last Resort (ROLR).
Why is Direct Energy, a Houston-based company, allowed to provide Alberta’s default rate, especially when the ROLR is specifically meant for Albertans who cannot access competitive retail rates?
Direct Energy has a long history of outsourcing. Its Customer Care call centre jobs were moved first from Alberta to the Philippines, then to Guatemala. Its billing processing jobs were relocated to Texas, and its key technical system’s people and services were outsourced to HCL of India. Additionally, Direct Energy sold off their Alberta natural gas holdings to a joint partnership including Mercuria (HQ Geneva), Can-China Global Resource Fund (in part, funded by China Exim Bank), and MIE Holdings Corporation (HQ Hong Kong).
You can read more about the sale of Direct Energy to NRG here.
Premier Smith, you have the power to restore Alberta’s prestige and keep us truly self-sufficient. If the ROLR is here to stay, shouldn’t it be Alberta-owned and operated?
What’s In It For You?
In an ever-increasing push towards more localized services and goods, it’s time to start buying your electricity and natural gas from a local business. We know tariffs on agricultural goods will hurt Albertans in many ways, so why not get ahead of the curve and save some money on electricity?
Farmers who switch from Direct Energy’s Rate of Last Resort could save $720/year on their energy costs by choosing our Ex-ROLR Rate at 6.99 cents/kWh. Residential customers could save $450/year. It’s really that easy.
There’s an extra $140 to be saved by both farmers and homeowners on admin fees alone just by switching to Spot Power.
Who is NewGen Energy?
NewGen is the retail storefront of Utility Network & Partners Inc., which was founded in 1978. We are 100% privately-owned Alberta-based electricity and natural gas retailer. Everything we do is Alberta-based, keeping jobs and profits local.
As a member of the UTILITYnet Group of Companies, NewGen is also a leader in the renewable energy sector by providing access to the Solar Club™. All Solar Club Members become part of the Hummingbird Virtual Solar Community, and have contributed over 135 million kWh of green energy exported back into the grid. At a capacity of 85 MW and over 180,000 solar modules installed province-wide, the Hummingbird VSC is one of the largest distributed solar projects in Alberta.
Buy local and pay less.
Sign up today at NewGen-Energy.ca!
A Note from NewGen Energy
A fundamental shift is underway, and as a local business, we would be remiss if we didn’t speak to the power within each and every Albertan. By that we mean, whether or not Trump imposes tariffs, only you can effect change by changing the way you interact with your electricity, natural gas, and Internet provider. It doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for cheese, furniture, or power, the choice and power rests in your hands.
We have long advocated for more transparency, and better regulations that don’t waterfall down to consumers’ wallets. You have that power as well, and we encourage you to stand with us and tell our government that an American company selling an Albertan product is wrong. Buying from NewGen means that our staff can support other local businesses, and keep paying it forward.