The Alberta government has committed $8.5 million to help rural residents with the “unique challenges” around access to utilities, while also providing direct financial relief to thousands facing high utility bills. Read More
”This funding means more families in rural and remote areas can keep their lights on and their homes warm.”
“This funding means more families in rural and remote areas can keep their lights on and their homes warm.”
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The Alberta government has committed $8.5 million to help rural residents with the “unique challenges” around access to utilities, while also providing direct financial relief to thousands facing high utility bills.
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Affordability and Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf said Wednesday that Budget 2025 includes $8.5 million for the Rural Utilities Program — which consists of the rural electric, rural gas and rural water programs — and the Remote Area Heating Allowance program.
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“This funding means more families in rural and remote areas can keep their lights on and their homes warm. It means more small businesses can set up shop and contribute to the local economy, and it means Alberta’s agricultural industry can keep putting food on tables at home and all around the world,” Neudorf said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon at Heritage Acres Farm Museum near Pincher Creek.
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Money for farmers, First Nations and co-ops
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The rural gas program, which expands and updates natural gas infrastructure, gets $5.7 million to provide residents with “reliable and affordable home heating options,” says the province. The program is administered by the Federation of Alberta Gas Co-ops.
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This year’s budget also includes $1.6 million for the Remote Area Heating Allowance program, which provides direct financial relief to more than 2,000 households, the majority of whom are from Indigenous communities. The funds help cover cost the high cost of alternative heating fuels, such as heating oil and propane, it says.
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The rural electric program, which is receiving $700,000, supports the construction of electrical services for farms and ranches, with the Alberta Federation of Electrification Associations administering program grants.
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And Budget 2025 provides $500,000 for the rural water program, first introduced last year, to “ensure rural water co-ops across the province have access to modern water treatment and distribution systems,” says the Alberta government. The Alberta Federation of Rural Water Co-operatives administers program grants.
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