Regulator rules it’s too early for public group to have role in ATCO probe talks

EDMONTON — Alberta’s utilities regulator has ruled on whether a consumer’s group can address an investigation into alleged wrongdoing by one of the province’s main power providers.

The Alberta Utilities Commission is talking with ATCO Electric to try to reach a settlement for findings of commission investigators.

Investigators say the company deliberately overpaid a First Nation for work on a new transmission line, allegedly in order to secure contracts for another ATCO company.

Investigators also allege the company tried to shift the $12-million overpayment to Alberta consumers and that company officials tried to cover up the deal.