WESTLOCK – Just over two-dozen Wild Rose Rural Electrification Association members were informed of their rights and options at a March 24 meeting, with the event organizer calling for “unity” from the membership on a path forward for the REA.
Organized by Jenna Bartman, the Thursday-night meeting at the Pickardville Community Hall, was meant to align REA members as “ … the only way we’re going to make change, is if we actually move forward together.”
“How we can legally act within our rights from the bylaws, from the Royal Utilities Act (and) everything put all together,” said Bartman. She wants members to consider options and work together to come up with a plan and an option they can all agree on. “I’m hoping for a sense of unity, moving forward.”
Bartman told the crowd what an REA is, how it works and informed attendees about their rights as members. She detailed six options, noting her preference for option three which involves selling the Wild Rose REA, and pointed to a nearby example in the sale of the VNM REA in Barrhead in 2015, that was sold to FortisAlberta.
“The sale was for $16 million dollars and each service received $25,000,” said Bartman. “The VNM REA was out of the Westlock-Barrhead area, our immediate neighbours and they sold.”
REA's (Rural Electrification Associations) were formed in the 1940's and 1950's as a result of increased demand for electricity from rural residents. Neighbors banded together and built the power lines. Formal cooperatives later developed offering electrical service to those who wished to join and accept the responsibility of membership.
The Wild Rose REA Ltd. has been in operation since 1947. Today it is a fully operational electrical utility with a current membership of more than 2,700 members. The electrical distribution system is spread across five counties.
Following the presentation, members asked questions around several topics including the difference between a provider and a retailer, the lack of opportunity to shop around for retailers until after you leave an REA, issues with regular meter readings and how board members can be held more accountable.
“Unfortunately, I feel like I was lied to and that’s why I’m here tonight, is to find out more information and just what else we’re being lied to about,” said Marnie Squires, a resident just south of Westlock.
Squires signed a contract with the Wild Rose REA in November and asked them to confirm whether she was allowed to choose her own retailer. “Sure, was the answer. I have since found out that, that is not true,” she said. “I’m not worried about how much the bill is, I’m worried about what they’re doing with our money and what else we’re being lied to about.”
Alex St. Louis, who lives just west of Pickardville, was also in attendance and said the community meeting was a good way to voice opinions and have his concerns heard.
“I thought it was very informative,” said St. Louis. “It’s been interesting (with) what different people have said and their difficulties with the WR REA in the past. It makes you wonder if you’re really being heard as a customer of the WR REA.”
