Policy Development

We can contribute to our long-term sustainability by being able to influence public policy that will affect our economic, environmental and social performance. To do that, we monitor government thinking about our industry and look for opportunities to participate in public dialogue where we can make a relevant and meaningful contribution. We regularly make submissions to government on proposed legislation, and participate in numerous industry forums on climate change, economic development and energy industry policy.

Some highlights from our activities in 2004 include:

• Our company was appointed to the Stakeholder Advisory Committee on Reporting for the mandatory Canadian national GHG reporting process, which becomes effective June 2005. TransAlta is representing the Canadian Electricity Association.
• We met with officials in the Ontario Minister of Energy’s office to resolve issues around our Sarnia gas plant, which is currently operating under capacity due to market conditions and recent government policy changes. We discussed opportunities that would allow the plant to operate as intended and sell more power into the province’s wholesale electricity market.
• Vision Quest met with policy-makers in Ottawa to encourage expansion of the Canadian government’s Wind Power Production Incentive.
• Along with other members of the Canadian Clean Power Coalition, we met with senior federal government policy-makers to create awareness of clean coal technology as an important climate change solution.
• TransAlta, in conjunction with other companies in the Industry Steering Committee on Climate Change, delivered several presentations on climate change to government agencies, including the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office. Our presentations recommended taking a long-term technology-based approach to this major environmental issue.
• We continued to take an active leadership role in Alberta’s Clean Air Strategic Alliance. In 2004, we advised the Alberta government on the development of regulations to meet air emission targets for the electricity industry.
• Through the Asociación Mexicana de Energía Eléctrica, a group of leaders from Mexico’s major independent electricity producers, TransAlta provided input to a proposed federal law designed to promote renewable energy in Mexico. During the year, members of Vision Quest Windelectric also met with Mexican government leaders, including the Subsecretary of Electricity and the Undersecretary of Environmental Regulation, to discuss opportunities for wind power.