ATCO Electric Yukon has announced its decision to comply with the direction provided by the territorial government by engaging a third-party investigator to scrutinize its billing practices and procedures. This move comes in response to numerous complaints from ATCO customers during the past winter and spring regarding significant fluctuations in their monthly electricity bills. The company acknowledged facing “challenges” in transitioning to a new billing system in 2023.
The energy and justice ministers of the territory recently released a statement expressing their expectation for ATCO to appoint an investigator to delve into the company’s “systemic billing issues.” Justice Minister Laura Lang emphasized the importance of this independent review to identify the root causes of the problems and ensure that ATCO implements measures to prevent a recurrence, emphasizing the need for fair and accurate billing for Yukon residents.
While such investigations are typically within the purview of the Yukon Utilities Board, Minister Lang highlighted the potential high costs associated with this approach, which would ultimately be borne by ratepayers. She emphasized that ATCO should take responsibility for commissioning an independent third-party review at its own expense. Winter is approaching rapidly, and Minister Lang expressed the urgency of resolving these billing issues before residents face uncertainties about affording electricity in the upcoming season.
Jay Massie, ATCO’s vice president of northern development and Indigenous relations, confirmed that the company is in the process of selecting an independent third-party auditor in the coming weeks to address customer concerns and provide clarity on the billing discrepancies experienced last winter. Massie assured that the audit results will be made public once available.
In parallel, ATCO has already initiated efforts to enhance its billing system by addressing past challenges related to estimating customers’ monthly usage. Massie affirmed that the company is actively working on improvements regardless of the audit outcomes.
Yukon NDP Leader Kate White criticized the territorial government’s response, arguing that it falls short of the fully independent investigation demanded by Yukon residents. White advocated for an investigation by the Yukon Utilities Board to ensure impartiality and prevent ratepayers from bearing the cost. NDP MLA Carmen Gustafson echoed these sentiments, calling for a comprehensive review that encompasses both Yukon Energy and ATCO’s billing issues, emphasizing the need for an independent regulatory body to oversee the process.