State senator claims Alberta is treating Montana energy providers unfairly

Montana lawmakers are taking issue with Alberta over what they call unfair electricity trade practices, but Alberta maintains that's not the case.

Trade between Canada and the United States continues to be a hot button issue with the latest button being a trade dispute between Alberta and Montana that’s causing tension.

A Montana state senator says Alberta is unfairly blocking Montana power from consistently coming into the province.

“Alberta is prioritizing their own resources in Alberta, and then external resources such as (those) from Montana or other areas within Canada have a different standard. But what they’re doing with Montana is against the U.S. trade agreement. And that’s the issue,” said Montana state senator Daniel Zolnikov, who represents senate district 22.

Lethbridge East MLA and minister for affordability and utilities, Nathan Neudorf, disputes Zolnikov’s claims.

In a statement the minister said “Alberta does not treat imports from Montana any differently than those from Canadian jurisdictions. Any restrictions on Alberta’s interties with neighbouring jurisdictions - including the Montana-Alberta Tie Line – are to minimize risks to grid reliability and ensure those on both sides of the border have access to the power they depend on.”

Trade is only part of the issue.

Alberta’s power grid isn’t fully integrated with its neighbouring provinces and Montana.

That makes it difficult to share power between jurisdictions.

Montana lawmakers believe a more integrated systems would be better for residents on both sides of the border.

“That is the big goal, because then in the end energy doesn’t care about borders. And we need to backfill each other’s needs when possible and know that we can do that reliably,” said Zolnikov.

Alberta’s electrical grid is managed by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO).

AESO is working towards greater integration between its power grid and others to increase power sharing and reliability.

AESO said in an email to CTV news that “we are continuing to take steps to increase the volumes which can be imported across Alberta’s interties.”