![Alberta will no longer allow such [wind and solar] projects on Class 1 and 2 land unless they can demonstrate crops and/or livestock can co-exist with them, said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. | Getty Images](https://static.producer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/29164059/solar-panels-GettyImages-1032683612-660x420.jpg)
CALGARY – The Alberta government will take an agriculture-first approach when farmland is proposed for solar and wind projects in the province, along with strengthening input by rural municipalities. “Our unique deregulated electricity market and competitive tax system mean that we are Canada’s hub for investment, and we want our province to remain the jurisdiction […] Read more
Tag Archives Paul McLauchlin
Unpaid energy property tax issue festers in Alta.
CALGARY — Oil and gas companies are continuing to profit from Alberta’s resource riches without paying hundreds of millions of dollars in rural property taxes, says a new survey of the province’s rural municipalities. A small segment of the energy industry is ignoring its community obligations while funneling profits to executives and shareholders, Paul McLauchlin, […] Read more
Alberta forms drought advisory committee
MEDICINE HAT — Alberta has struck a new drought advisory committee as some provincial rivers reach record low levels, reservoirs remain below capacity and mountain snowpacks continue to be under historical averages. The province says at least parts of the province are facing risks of severe drought conditions in part due to warm and dry […] Read more
The election is over; now Alberta’s real work begins
Rural leaders to press new Alberta government on infrastructure, health care and oil and gas well clean up
Alberta’s United Conservative Party swept rural ridings in the May 29 election — rural ridings that don’t border Calgary or Edmonton. That could raise expectations that rural issues will be addressed by the new government. There is no shortage of those, according to Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) president Paul McLauchlin. He said his organization […] Read more
Alta.’s oil tax repayment plan called into doubt
Rural municipalities question the effectiveness of a recent directive to force energy companies to pay their property taxes
The Alberta Energy Regulator is a provincial regulatory body tasked to deal with unpaid municipal taxes by oil and gas companies. The provincial auditor says it is not being accountable, landowner advocacy groups claim it’s not following legislation and First Nations want it disbanded.
