Regulatory Insights
RLC remains at the forefront of new developments in Canada’s energy sector to ensure we can act effectively on behalf of our clients and their interests.
These articles cover the details of various decisions made by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), and the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). Browse our searchable archives below.

Temporary Pause on New Pipeline Applications, AER Bulletin 2023-38
Link to Decision Summarized Oil and Gas - Pipelines The AER temporarily paused new pipeline application submissions through OneStop from November 6, 2023, to November 16, 2023, in response to the new Pipeline Rules release scheduled for November 15, 2023. The...

ATCO Electric Ltd. Notice of Dispute for Micro-Generation, AUC Decision 28319-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Solar Power - Micro-Generation Application Dale Sunderland, a “customer” under the Micro-Generation Regulation (“MGR”), submitted a micro-generation application to ATCO Electric Ltd (“AE”) proposing to build a 148.5-kilowatt (“kW”) solar...

AUC Determination of the Cost-of-Capital Parameters in 2024 and Beyond – Formula Base Values, AUC Decision 27084-D03-2023
Link to Decision Summarized GAS- Rates Application In Decision 27084-D02-2023, the AUC determined the value of each of the base inputs to the formula, except the utility bond spread for the base period (“SPRDbase”). The AUC determined that it would use the average...

AUC Determination of the Cost-of-Capital Parameters for 2024 and Beyond, AUC Decision 27084-D02-2023
Link to Decision Summarized GAS - Rates Application The AUC initiates a mandatory review of cost-of-capital parameters every five years, subject to mid-term reopeners, on its own motion or upon application from interested parties. The cost-of-capital parameters apply...

ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. Swanhills Loop Transmission Project, AUC Decision 28431-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Gas - Facilities Application ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (“AG”) applied for approval to construct and operate the Swanhills Loop Transmission Project, consisting of 4.6 kilometers (“km”) of new 168.3-millimeter (“mm”) high-pressure natural...

Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC TMEP Application Pursuant to Section 211 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act Segment 5.3 – Pípsell (Jacko Lake), CER Reasons for Decision A8T7K1
Link to Decision Summarized Gas - Facilities Application Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC (“Trans Mountain”) applied for approval of a deviation (“Deviation Application”) to the approved plan, profile and book of reference (“PPBoR”) in respect of certain lands in Segment...
NorthRiver Midstream NEBC Connector GP Inc., CER Report OH-001-2022
Link to Decision Summarized Natural Gas Liquids - Facilities Application NorthRiver Midstream NEBC Connector GP Inc. (“NorthRiver”), a wholly owned subsidiary of NorthRiver Midstream Inc., applied...
Judd v Alberta Energy Regulator, 2023 ABCA 296
Link to Decision Summarized Permission to Appeal – Error of Law Application Michael Judd applied for permission to appeal a decision of the AER, which dismissed a pre-hearing motion brought by Mr....
ATCO Electric Ltd. Dog Rib Fibre Optic Connection Project, AUC Decision 28463-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Communications - Facilities Application ATCO Electric Ltd. (“AE”) applied for approval to construct and operate the 185-meter (“m”) ELADFO021 underground fibre optic...
TransAlta Corporation, as Manager of the TransAlta Generation Partnership Application Concerning Arbitration Award for AltaLink Management Ltd. to Perform its Obligations Under the Operations and Maintenance Agreement, AUC Decision 28467-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Electricity - Markets Application TransAlta Corporation (“TransAlta”) submitted to the AUC that the interim order issued in Decision 27168-D01-2023, regarding an...
Reclamation Liability Reduction Program Being Developed, AER Bulletin 2023-37
Link to Decision Summarized Oil and Gas – Facilities The AER is implementing a reclamation liability reduction program (the “Program”), with an anticipated release in the spring of 2024. The Program...
Residential Standards of Service and Maximum Investment Levels – Phase 2, AUC Decision 27658-D02-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Electricity – Rates Application In September 2022, the AUC established Proceeding 27658 to examine the standards of service and the associated maximum investment levels...
ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. Unaccounted-For Gas Rider D and Rider P, AUC Decision 28406-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized GAS - Rates Application ATCO Gas (“AG”), a division of ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd., applied for approval of its 2023-2024 unaccounted-for gas (“UFG”) Rider D and Rider P,...
Alberta Electric System Operator Needs Identification Document Application, AltaLink Management Facility Applications – Georgetown Solar Project Connection, AUC Decision 28327-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Solar Power – Facilities Application Georgetown Solar Inc. (“Georgetown Solar”) has an AUC approval to construct the Georgetown Solar + Energy Storage Project (the “Power...
Invitation for Feedback on Proposed New Requirements for Rock-Hosted Mineral Resource Development, AER Bulletin 2023-36
Link to Decision Summarized Minerals – Development The AER sought feedback on its proposed new Draft Directive: Rock-Hosted Mineral Resource Development (“Draft Directive”). The Draft Directive sets...
Reference re Impact Assessment Act, 2023 SCC 23
Link to Decision Summarized Jurisdiction – Environmental Impact Assessment Appeal This was an appeal from an Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”) judgment regarding a reference by the Alberta’s...
AltaLink Management Ltd. Vauxhall Solar Farm Connection, AUC Decision 28440-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Communication - Facilities Application AltaLink Management Ltd. (“AML”) applied for approval to connect Solar Krafte Utilities Inc.’s (“Solar Krafte”) Vauxhall Solar Farm...
Enforcement Staff of the Alberta Utilities Commission Settlement Agreement with Persist Oil & Gas Inc., AUC Decision 28370-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Market - Enforcement Application Enforcement staff of the AUC (“Enforcement Staff”) applied to the AUC for approval of a settlement agreement between Enforcement Staff...
Market Surveillance Administrator Application for Approval of a Settlement Agreement Between the Market Surveillance Administrator, EPCOR Energy Alberta GP Inc. and 1772387 Alberta Ltd, AUC Decision 28207-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Gas – Markets Application The Market Surveillance Administrator (“MSA”) applied for approval of a settlement agreement between the MSA, EPCOR Energy Alberta GP Inc. as...
ATCO Electric Ltd. Sweeney Creek Telecommunications Tower Site Project, AUC Decision 28360-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Communications – Facilities Application ATCO Electric Ltd. (“AE”) applied to the AUC for approval to construct and operate the new Sweeney Creek 1090 Telecommunications...
Aura Power Renewable Ltd. Decision on Preliminary Question Application for Review of Decision 27488-D01-2023 Burdett Solar Project, AUC Decision 28409-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Solar Power – Review and Variance Application Aura Power Renewables Ltd. (“Aura”) applied for a review and variance of AUC Decision 27488-D01-2023, regarding the Burdett...
ATCO Electric Ltd. Touchwood Telecommunications Tower Connection Project, AUC Decision 28442-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Communications - Facilities Application ATCO Electric Ltd (“AE”) applied to decommission and salvage the Touchwood Microwave Power Plant and alter the Touchwood...
2024-2028 Performance-Based Regulation Plan for Alberta Electric and Gas Distribution Utilities, AUC Decision 27388-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Performance-Based Regulation Plan - Rates Application In Bulletin 2022-006, issued on May 26, 2022, the Alberta Utilities Commission (“AUC”) initiated Proceeding 27388 to...
Strathcona County Amended and Restated Water Supply Agreement with Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission, AUC Decision 28436-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Water - Rates Application Strathcona County (“Strathcona”) applied for approval of its amended and restated water supply agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Highway 14...
ENMAX Power Corporation 2023-2025 Transmission General Tariff Application and Negotiated Settlement Agreement, AUC Decision 27581-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Electricity - Rates Application ENMAX Power Corporation (“EPC”) filed an application with the AUC for approval of its 2023-2025 GTA for the period of January 1, 2023, to...
Enforcement Staff of the Alberta Utilities Commission Penalty for Contraventions 1-5, Decision 26379-D04-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Enforcement – Penalties Application This was a penalty determination as part of the second phase of the AUC’s enforcement proceeding against Green Block Mining Corp....
Strathcona County Water Supply Agreement with Capital Region Northeast Ware Services Commission, AUC Decision 28422-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Water - Rates Application Strathcona County applied to the AUC for approval of a water supply agreement entered into with the Capital Region Northeast Water Services...
Concord Vulcan GP2 Ltd. Application for an Order Permitting the Sharing of Records Not Available to the Public Regarding the Vulcan Solar Project, AUC Decision 28433-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Solar - Markets Application Concord Vulcan GP2 Ltd. (“Vulcan GP2”) applied pursuant to s 3 of the Fair, Efficient and Open Competition Regulation (“FEOCR”), seeking...
Mandatory Closure Spend Quotas for 2024, AER Bulletin 2023-35
Link to Decision Summarized Oil and Gas - Supplemental Closure Spending Licensees must spend a minimum amount annually on abandoning, remediating and reclaiming their inactive oil and gas sites. In...
Alberta Electric System Operator Deferral Account Reconciliation Methodology Revision, AUC Decision 28293-D02-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Electricity - Rates Application The Alberta Electric System Operator (“AESO”) applied to the AUC for approval of (i) its 2022 deferral account reconciliation (“DAR”) and...