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ACC media release: April 25, 2022
For immediate release
Alberta businesses continue to struggle with rising energy costs
EDMONTON — Following the Government of Alberta's recent introduction of legislation to enable energy rebates, Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) President and CEO Ken Kobly is cautioning refunds won't be enough to put businesses back on solid footing.

Kobly is responding to recent survey data, collected through the Alberta Perspectives market research program, which show electricity and natural gas costs are an urgent—and growing—concern among Alberta businesses.

"These data show energy costs are having a real impact on our business community and its competitiveness," says Kobly. "While businesses continue to navigate economic recovery and global economic instability, energy costs remain a real concern and one that is growing disproportionately."

The survey, which was undertaken between April 11 and 14, received more than 500 responses from members of Alberta's business community. Seventy-eight per cent of respondents indicated they were "very concerned" about electricity costs and 72 per cent about natural gas costs—an increase of 33 and 30 per cent, respectively, from September 2021.
In an April survey, 78 per cent of respondents indicated they were "very concerned" about electricity costs while 72 per cent said the same about natural gas.
Forty-two per cent of respondents estimated electricity utility costs have increased by 25 per cent or more relative to their monthly operating costs over the last six months. Meanwhile, 40 per cent estimated similar cost increases for natural gas, which Kobly says is a real risk to business viability.
Relative to monthly operating costs, 42 per cent of respondents estimated their electricity utility costs increased 25 per cent or more between September 2021 and March 2022 while 40 per cent of respondents estimated similar cost increases for natural gas.
"While we support the move to refund energy customers where appropriate, unfortunately, any rebate would be a drop in the bucket compared with the cost pressures business operators are facing," says Kobly.
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For comment, please contact: 

Ken Kobly
President and CEO
Alberta Chambers of Commerce
(M) 780-975-1659
(P) 780-425-4180 Ext.5

The Alberta Chambers of Commerce is a federation of 116 community-based chambers of commerce representing more than 24,000 job creators.

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