By: Team NewGen ([email protected])
This blog is the first in a series called “Spotlight on Affordability.” Stay tuned for more!
Dear Premier,
Congratulations on achieving a 30-day delay on Trump’s tariffs.
But if and when tariffs are implemented, the higher prices Albertans pay to American companies will hurt everyone, including Alberta farmers, industries, and homeowners. What can we do today?
“Canada can and must come together in an unprecedented effort to preserve the livelihoods and futures of our people.” – Danielle Smith
Canadians have no desire to become “the 51st state.” We are proud of our Canadian heritage and the country we’ve built north of the 49th parallel. Now is the right time to focus on supporting local companies, starting with electricity retailers.
We ask: Why is our government continuing to give Direct Energy, a Houston-based company, the exclusive license to provide Alberta’s Rate of Last Resort (ROLR) to consumers in the ATCO Wires Distribution territory? If the government is not prepared to punt Direct Energy, then consumers should.
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 and Mexico. Its billing processing jobs were relocated to Texas, and its key technical system’s people and services were outsourced, in the past, 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 Direct Energy’s sale to NRG here. Although they may have offices and staff here to promote sales and lobby the government, profits are crossing the border, and jobs have been exported out of Canada. If outsourcing is meant to lower costs, why are Direct Energy’s customers overpaying for services?
Premier Smith, you have the power to restore Alberta’s prestige and keep us truly self-sufficient. If the ROLR is here to stay, retailers of the regulated rate should be Alberta-owned and operated. ATCO, ENMAX, and EPCOR are viable options for you to consider. It’s time to kick Direct Energy off the list of government-regulated rate providers.
What’s In It for Alberta Consumers?
Canadians are united in defiance of Trump’s tariffs. Keeping money in Alberta’s economy has never been more important, and that includes electricity. In an ever-increasing push towards more localized services and goods, it’s time to start buying electricity and natural gas from a local business. 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 over $700/year on their energy costs by choosing NewGen’s Ex-ROLR Rate at 6.99 cents/kWh. Residential customers could save over $400/year. It’s that easy. Savings are only one click away.
There’s an extra $100 to be saved by both farmers and homeowners on admin fees alone just by switching to NewGen Energy.
Many consumers complain about the extra charges on their utility bills. Why was Direct Energy’s application to charge consumers $20 per month in admin fees approved when the normal monthly fee charged by other retailers is half this rate? Direct Energy shipped jobs out of the country, presumably to cut costs—their admin fee suggests they are double-dipping, and this flies in the face of the government’s affordability mandate.
Who is NewGen Energy?
NewGen was founded in 2011. We are a 100% privately-owned Alberta-based electricity and natural gas retailer. Everything we do is Alberta-based, keeping jobs and profits local.
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!
A Note from NewGen
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. Only you can effect change by changing the way you interact with your electricity, natural gas, and Internet providers. Whether you’re shopping for cheese, furniture, or power, the choice and power rest 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 giving an American company a franchised right to sell a government-regulated product, which is overpriced, as approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission, is wrong. Buying from NewGen or other local retailers in Alberta means that our staff can support other local businesses, and keep paying it forward.