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COVID Community Support in Alberta

· · Leave a Comment Community Building, Consumer Info

Local Alberta Energy Marketers Making a Difference During COVID-19 Pandemic

Albertans continue to come together in many different ways to support each other and their communities during this challenging time. Last week, UTILITYnet announced its Utility Deferral Program which will assist all customers under our umbrella that are experiencing financial hardship as a direct results of COVID-19.  

In addition to the deferral program, the local Energy Marketers in our network are going above and beyond their typical community initiatives to give back to the places they live and work. 

In Part 1 of our blog series, we shared stories of how Camrose Energy was supporting other local businesses and how Mountain View Power has been coordinating efforts to 3D print face shields and ear guards for healthcare professionals in the County of Mountain View. 

In Part 2 of our blog series, we are sharing even more good news stories about how our network is supporting Albertans. Here are three more great reasons to shop locally and support businesses who are investing in Alberta.

Get Energy – A Creative Way to Stay Connected

Get Energy, owned by Malcolm and Jenelle Setter, has been operating in Fort McMurray for five years. In that time, they have established themselves as influential community members, taking part in community events and donating to several charities in the Wood Buffalo area.

“I believe we have a social responsibility as a company to try and leave things better than we found them,” said Malcolm. “This is where we work, live and play, and giving back is our way of saying thank you to our customers.”

Aside from their ongoing financial support of organizations such as the Fort McMurray Boys and Girls Club, Waypoints Community Services Associate, Fort City Church, and the McMurray Gospel Assembly, Malcolm and Jenelle have come up with a unique way to support Albertans who may be feeling isolated because of recent social distancing requirements. 

It’s called the “Ask Us Anything” campaign, where Albertans in the Wood Buffalo area and across the province can text questions to Get Energy at (780) 665-4771.

Albertans are encouraged to text Get Energy whatever they like. If they are just looking for a friendly text to brighten their day, want to chat back and forth about what’s best on Netflix, or are wondering what restaurants are still open in their neighbourhood, Get Energy is ready to help.

“We know there are lots of questions and uncertainties right now, and we are being bombarded with information from so many sources,” said Malcolm. “We thought, what if we could help get some of the information out to our community, but rather than send out another mass email, we would tailor it to just what people want to know.”

“No question is too hard, and if we can’t find an answer, we will at least point that person to someone who can.”

At a time where some Albertans are feeling socially isolated, this text line may be a small way to feel a little more connected. 

Park Power – Ongoing Financial Support for Deserving Organizations

When Kris Kasawski started Park Power in 2013, he decided to build profit sharing and community investment into his business plan. Giving back to the community had always been important to him and launching Park Power provided a great opportunity to fulfill this ideal.

So, Park Power’s Community Partner program was born. Through the program, Kasawski shares 10% of Park Power’s electricity usage profits with deserving local charities that he believes, “are carrying out important and valuable work in our community”. 

With the recent addition of Parents Empowering Parents and Dreamcatcher Nature Assisted Therapy, Park Power now has 8 Community Partners that will benefit from ongoing annual donations.

“Fundamentally, I believe in positivity and wanted the Park Power brand to be a positive business presence in the community,” said Kasawski. “Making regular structured investments into local organizations is one way for Park Power to make positive contributions to our community. It has been great having the profit-sharing program built into our business plan because as the business has grown, so have our annual profit-sharing donation amounts.”

In six years of business, Park Power has given back over $20,000 through the Community Partner Program and sponsorships of various community events.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact local economies, non-profits across the province are sure to be feeling the financial strain. Closures and layoffs have likely reduced donations, and social distancing measures have forced organizations to cancel or suspend key fundraising events. 

“Charities and non-profits of all kinds are facing challenging times currently and in the near term,” said Kasawski. “Contributions that these organizations make to our communities are so valuable. They need our help more than ever and we must continue to support them however we can. My commitment for Park Power to give back to our community remains and even strengthens in times like these.”

Vector Energy – Making a Difference While Staying Safe

An entrepreneur by nature, Dave Birkby started Vector Energy in Calgary in 2011 and has always been a proponent for supporting local companies. 

“When you support local businesses, you are ensuring that the money you spend on things like your utilities, is staying in the province,” said Birkby. “In difficult times like these, it is more important than ever that our money stays local as this could mean your favourite local company being able to pay employees and stay in business while we all work together to flatten the curve.”

At 72 years old, Birkby is included in the group of Albertans who are most vulnerable when it comes to COVID-19; but self-isolation hasn’t stopped him from doing his part for his community. 

“Unfortunately, I have not been able to venture out to volunteer with any service groups,” said Birkby. “The only thing I could do is donate to local charities, so really, its financial support for the community that makes the most sense for Vector Energy.”

Since COVID-19 was announced as a global pandemic, and social distancing measures were put in place in Alberta, Birkby has made donations to eight deserving charities including:

 A Message from the Owners of UTILITYnet

As the province continues to navigate its “new normal,” we want to take a moment to thank our fellow Albertans for doing their part for their community. Whether you are getting groceries for a member of your family who is at high risk, making a point to shop locally to support small businesses, or donating to a worthy cause, you are making a difference, and we thank you.

If you need any help during the COVID-19 shutdown, we are here to help in any way we can. 

Help your neighbour, be safe, and be vigilant. 

Madeline Low & Nick Clark

Founders of Utility Network and Partners Inc.

Alberta Utility Deferral Update

· · Leave a Comment Consumer Info, Electricity

In This Together – Utility Deferrals Available to Assist Albertans

We all know someone who has been laid off, seen their work hours cut significantly, or had to shut the doors of their small business because of COVID-19. In response to this, the government has asked all energy retailers in the province to offer Albertans, who are in serious need of financial help, the option to defer all or a portion of their utility bills for up to three months. 

Under this initiative, Utility Network & Partners Inc and Park Power have implemented a COVID -19 Utility Relief Program to assist all customers under our umbrella that are experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of COVID-19. 

“Our government appreciates the cooperation and flexibility shown by utility providers to help their fellow Albertans through these challenging times,” said Dale Nally, Associate Minister of Natural gas and Electricity. “We recognize industry has also been greatly impacted by COVID-19. Safe and reliable electricity is critical to Alberta’s pandemic response, and the Utility Payment Deferral Program Act will provide temporary financial support necessary to implement the program.”

The program, which came into effect on March 18, 2020 and will run through June 18, 2020, is designed to provide temporary financial relief by allowing for a 90-day deferral of utility payments for residential, farm, and small commercial customers. 

Additionally, under this program Non-Sufficient Fund (NSF) penalty fees for outstanding charges have been waived and disconnections for non-payment have been suspended. 

“I applaud the government on the introduction of the deferral program as it provides much needed support for those in serious financial need,” said Nick Clark, Director of Utility Network & Partners Inc. “In times like these, no Albertan should have to fear being disconnected from essentials like electricity and natural gas.”

The total amount of the deferred invoices and the repayment of the full amount will be spread out over the 12-month period from July 2020 to June 2021. In total, deferred payments across Alberta are anticipated to reach approximately $337 million. 

“We have electricity and natural gas customers in more than 400 communities all over Alberta,” said Clark. “To date, about 3% of our own customers have signed up for this program.”

While this is a necessary cost to support Albertans, it is important to keep in mind and prepare for any unintended consequences that may arise from the program’s implementation. For now, the focus is on helping Albertans get through this challenging time. A deeper dive into this topic will come in a future blog.

If you lost your job, or you have had to leave work to isolate, or take care of an ill family member, you qualify for this program. The program is flexible. Since the amount deferred will eventually have to be paid back, consumers who do not need to defer their bill for the full three months can arrange for shorter deferral periods, or work with our local customer care team to set up unique payment plans.

If you would like to discuss the various options available or enroll in the COVID-19 Deferral Program, our local customer care team is available Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm to answer any questions you may have. Call us at 780-640-2128 or email us at customercare@parkpower.ca.