RMA is evaluating Bill 8 and how it will impact rural municipalities
Tabled on November 25th, 2025, Bill 8: Utilities Statutes Amendment Act, which purports to pave the way for data centres to bring their own power generation and advance the modernization of Alberta’s electricity market.
If passed, Bill 8’s proposed amendments would prioritize data centres that bring their own power generation by accelerating approval processes and supporting their connection to the grid, as well as ensure that proponents of projects would pay for necessary transmission upgrades instead of Albertan taxpayers.
Bill 8 builds on changes earlier in 2025 through the Energy and Utilities Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, which laid the groundwork for the implementation of a restructured energy market. The new amendments aim to finalize the market’s framework and propose changes to enhance electricity transmission policy and enable Alberta’s hydrogen-blended natural gas regulatory framework.
For rural municipalities, the implications of Bill 8 extend beyond infrastructure and regulatory alignment. Policy changes and uncertainty have already contributed to the loss of investment in some municipalities, and stable legislation and policy will be key going forward. RMA staff are reviewing Bill 8for how it will impact rural municipalities, but also for how it may influence proponents’ certainty and investor confidence in Alberta’s energy market and evolving data centre market. More detailed analysis can be expected as the legislation progresses.
Joseph Kay
Policy Advisor
587.689.5484
joseph@rmalberta.com
Warren Noga
Manager of Policy and Research
825.319.2285
warren@rmalberta.com