# Free Energy: Because Paying to Keep Warm in -40° is Ridiculous

!!! quote "Alberta Freedom Philosophy"
    "We have enough oil and gas to power a small planet, but somehow we're still paying through the nose for heat. Make it make sense."

[Call Brian Jean, Minister of Energy and Minerals](tel:7804273740){ .md-button }
[Email Minister of Energy and Minerals](https://influence.freealberta.org/campaign/energy-reform){ .md-button }

[Call Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities](tel:7804270265){ .md-button }
[Email Minister of Affordability and Utilities](https://influence.freealberta.org/campaign/utilities-reform){ .md-button }

## The Current Situation

In a province literally swimming in energy resources, we're still:
- Paying some of the highest utility bills in Canada
- Watching energy companies post record profits
- Pretending deregulation was a good idea
- Getting price-gouged every winter

## Why Energy Should Be Free

!!! info "Because..."
    - We're sitting on an ocean of resources that belong to all Albertans
    - The sun and wind don't send invoices
    - Energy is a basic human need, not a luxury
    - We already paid for the infrastructure with our taxes
    - Those corporate subsidies could power half the province

## What Free Energy Looks Like

### Electricity
- Solar panels on every roof (yes, even in winter)
- Wind farms (they don't cause cancer, we checked)
- Geothermal power (turns out the ground is warm)
- Community microgrids (power to the people, literally)

### Heating
- District heating systems (like they have in those "socialist" Scandinavian countries)
- Heat pumps for everyone (because efficiency isn't communism)
- Proper insulation (revolutionary concept, we know)
- Passive solar design (the sun is communist now)

### Clean Power Infrastructure
- Smart grid technology (smarter than our current energy policy)
- Energy storage systems (batteries aren't just for phones)
- Decentralized power generation (because monopolies are so last century)
- Public ownership (gasp!)

## The "But What About Jobs?!" Section

!!! tip "Plot Twist"
    - Renewable energy creates more jobs than fossil fuels
    - Maintenance of public infrastructure creates permanent positions
    - Energy efficiency retrofits need workers
    - Someone has to install all those solar panels

## How We Get There

1. Stop pretending deregulation worked
2. Nationalize key infrastructure (yes, we said it)
3. Invest in renewable technology
4. Create public energy utilities
5. Stop giving away our resources for pennies

!!! warning "Corporate Tears Alert"
    Energy executives might have to downgrade from private jets to first class. Our hearts bleed.

## The Real Cost of "Paid" Energy

- Seniors choosing between heat and food
- Families struggling with utility bills
- Small businesses crushed by overhead costs
- Environmental degradation
- Record corporate profits (funny how that works)

## Deep Dive Resources

[Environmental Impact](../freeneeds/environment.md){.md-button}

[Corporate Corruption](../freefrom/corporate.md){.md-button}

## The Bottom Line

In a province blessed with abundant energy resources, paying for basic power needs is like paying for air - absurd, unnecessary, and frankly, a bit suspicious.

!!! success "Think About It"
    If we can subsidize oil companies, we can subsidize your heating bill. It's just a matter of priorities.

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## Sources & Evidence

### Energy Price Crisis

- Electricity prices in Alberta **hit record highs in 2023**
- Energy deregulation has led to significant **price volatility** for consumers
- A new "**rate of last resort**" program was introduced in 2025 to help with price spikes
- Low-income households are disproportionately affected by energy costs
- Source: [Alberta Utilities Commission](https://www.auc.ab.ca/)
- Source: [CBC News - Alberta electricity prices](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-electricity-prices-1.7089234)

### Renewable Energy Blocked

- A **7-month renewable energy moratorium** (August 2023 - February 2024) halted 118 projects
- An estimated **24,000 jobs** were stalled during the moratorium
- Since the freeze lifted, **11 gigawatts** of renewable projects have been cancelled
- New restrictions could rule out **40% of the province** for renewable development
- **45%** of proposed renewable projects are now failing to proceed
- Alberta was responsible for **86%** of Canada's new wind and solar capacity (2020-2024) before the moratorium
- Source: [CBC News - Alberta renewable moratorium](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-renewable-energy-moratorium-1.7089234)
- Source: [Canadian Renewable Energy Association](https://renewablesassociation.ca/)

### Energy Poverty

- Energy poverty is growing despite Alberta being an energy-rich province
- Many Albertans forced to choose between heating and other basic needs
- No comprehensive provincial strategy to address energy affordability
- Source: [Alberta Energy Poverty Research](https://www.pembina.org/)

### Corporate Profits vs Public Good

- Energy companies continue to post **record profits**
- Oil companies hold **$1.5 trillion in toxic tailings** with limited liability
- Orphan well cleanup costs downloaded to taxpayers
- Source: [Parkland Institute](https://www.parklandinstitute.ca/)

![freealbertalogo](../assets/freealberta-logo-long-opaque.gif)