TransAlta can't be forced by regulator to pay consumers back for price fixing

Alberta's electricity regulator says it can't force TransAlta to pay consumers back for inflated electricity prices, despite finding the company guilty of price fixingearlier this year.

The Alberta Utilities Commission found inJuly that TransAlta had manipulated prices and engaged in insider training by shutting down six coal-fired generators during periods of peak electricitydemand.

But, in a follow up decision issued this week,the AUC also found it doesn't have the authority to order restitution.

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Regulators are still set todecide later this fall what kind of penalty TransAlta will face.

The AUC can levela $1-million-per-day fine for each offence.It also has the authority to orderTransAltato give up its profits from the market manipulation, whichwould go into the Albertagovernment's general fund.

Jim Law, a spokesperson for the commission,says there are other avenues for consumers to try to get their money backincluding civil court action.