Province plans $8.5M to improve utility access in rural, remote areas
Anna Smith,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Alberta’s government is committing $8.5 million to ensure that rural and remote residents have access to the utilities they need.
Those outside major centres face challenges in receiving affordable utilities and heating costs, the province says, and to address this, Budget 2025, if passed, would invest in several distinct programs aimed at keeping lights on, homes warm and businesses in operation.
“Farmers, ranchers and rural communities are the backbone of Alberta, working hard to support us all. In return, we must ensure they can keep doing what they do best, and these grants do just that by ensuring they can access the utilities they need – at a reasonable cost,” said Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities.
The Rural Utilities Program – which consists of the Rural Electric Program, Rural Gas Program and Rural Water Program – and the Remote Area Heating Allowance, look will help communities access critical services like gas, power and water, as well as deliver direct financial relief to thousands of rural Albertans facing high utility bills, said the province.
A total of $700,000 is allocated to the Rural Electric Program, in which grants are administered by the Alberta Federation of Electrification Associations and support the construction of electrical services for farms and ranches.
Another $5.7 million would be committed to the Natural Gas Program, to be administered by the Federation of Alberta Gas Co-ops, to expand and update natural gas infrastructure.
Additionally, $1.6 million of the investment is allocated for the Remote Area Heating Allowance program, which provides direct financial relief to more than 2,000 households, the majority from Indigenous communities, to help with the high cost of alternative heating fuels.
The Rural Water Program aims to ensure rural water co-ops across the province have access to modern water treatment and distribution systems, and is administered by the Alberta Federation of Rural Water Co-operatives.
“These grants are making a difference for Albertans across the province, ensuring that everyone, no matter where they live, has access to essential utilities,” said Chantelle de Jonge, parliamentary secretary for Affordability and Utilities. “I’m proud of how this government continues to support and stand by the hard-working rural communities that help drive our province forward.”
Anna Smith,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Medicine Hat News
