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.
FortisAlberta Inc. v. Alberta Utilities Commission, 2024 ABCA 110
Link to Decision Summarized Download Summary in PDF Statutory Appeal - Rates Application FortisAlberta Inc. ("Fortis") applied to the Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”) for permission to appeal an Alberta Utilities Commission (“AUC”) generic cost of capital decision...
2024/25 Orphan Fund Levy/LLR and OWL Programs, AER Bulletin 2024-08
Link to Bulletin Summarized Download Summary in PDF Oil and Gas – Abandonment The Government of Alberta approved a levy of $135 million to fund the Orphan Well Association’s (“OWA”) operating budget for the fiscal year 2024/25. As a result, the AER prescribed an...
2024/25 AER Administration Fees (Industry Levy), AER Bulletin 2024-07
Link to Bulletin Summarized Download Summary in PDF Oil and Gas – Revenue Requirement For 2024/25, the Government of Alberta approved a revenue requirement of $225.2 million to support the AER’s operations. The AER published the administration fees allocated according...
EMCOR Utility (2035570 Alberta Ltd.) 2023-2027 General Rate Application, AUC Decision 28055-D02-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Download Summary in PDF Water – Review and Variance Application EMCOR Utility (2035570 Alberta Ltd.) (“EMCOR”) applied for approval of its general rate application (“GRA”) regarding its potable water system for the 2023-2027 test years....
Alberta Electric System Operator Approval of Amended Alberta Reliability Standard COM-001-AB-3 and COM-002-AB-4, AUC Decision 28904-D01-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Download Summary in PDF Electricity – Rules Application The Alberta Electric System Operator (“AESO”) forwarded proposed changes to the Alberta reliability standards COM-001-AB-3 (Communications) and COM-002-AB-4 (Operating Personnel...
AUC Updates to Rule 007, AUC Bulletin 2024-06
Link to Bulletin Summarized Download Summary in PDF Facilities – Applications The AUC updated Rule 007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations, Hydro Developments and Gas Utility Pipelines (“Rule 007”) to align...
General Land & Power Corp. and AltaLink Management Ltd. Sollair Solar Energy Project and Connection, AUC Decision 27582-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Solar Power - Facilities Application General Land & Power Corp. (“GL&P”) applied for approval to construct and operate the 75-megawatt Sollair Solar Energy Power...
ENMAX Energy Corporation 2023-2024 Energy Price Setting Plan, AUC Decision 27495-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Electricity- Rates Application ENMAX Energy Corporation (“EEC”), as a regulated rate option (“RRO”) provider, applied for approval of its 2023-2024 energy price setting...
TransAlta Coaldale Wind Inc. Tempest Wind Power Project, AUC Decision 27767-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Wind Power - Facilities Application TransAlta Coaldale Wind Inc. (“TransAlta”) applied for approval to construct and operate the 99-megawatt (“MW”) Tempest Wind Power...
EQUS REA Ltd v Alberta (Utilities Commission), 2023 ABCA 142
Link to Decision Summarized Distribution Tariff - Jurisdiction Application EQUS REA Ltd. (“EQUS”) and FortisAlberta Inc. (“FortisAB”) appealed the portion of AUC Decision 25916-D01-2021 regarding...
Water (Ministerial) Regulation Amendment, AER Bulletin 2023-24
Link to Bulletin Summarized Storm Water - Licenses On April 28, 2023, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (“AEPA”) announced an amendment to the Water (Ministerial) Regulation. Under specified...
New Edition of Directive 051, AER Bulletin 2023-23
Link to Bulletin Summarized Wells - Requirements On April 28, 2023, the AER released a new edition of Directive 051: Injection and Disposal Wells - Well Classifications, Completions, Logging, and...
Canadian Utilities Limited Corporate Reorganization Under Section 101 of the Public Utilities Act and Section 26 of the Gas Utilities Act, AUC Decision 28137-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Rates - Stranded Assets Application Canadian Utilities Limited (“CUL”) applied for approval of an internal reorganization involving CUL subsidiaries under s 101(2)(d) of...
New Requirements for Licensees with Unpaid Municipal Property Taxes, AER Bulletin 2023-22
Link to Bulletin Summarized Wells - Application As of May 1, 2023, under Ministerial Order 043/2023, the AER requires evidence that licensees have resolved unpaid property taxes exceeding a...
Stage 2 of Round 2 Consultation for Potential Changes to AUC Rule 012: Noise Control, AUC Bulletin 2023-01
Link to Bulletin Summarized Facilities - Rules The AUC sought further feedback from stakeholders on possible changes to provisions of Rule 012: Noise Control to improve regulatory and adjudicative...
EQUS REA Ltd. Amendments to the Code of Conduct Regulation Compliance Plan, AUC Decision 28002-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Electricity - CCR Application EQUS REA Ltd. (“EQUS”) applied for approval of amendments to its Compliance Plan under s 32 of the Code of Conduct Regulation. The changes...
Increased Monitoring on Pipeline and Gas Infrastructure, AER Bulletin 2023-21
Link to Bulletin Summarized Oil and Gas - Monitoring Due to the release of the movie “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” on April 21, 2023, and its promotion of violent action against oil and gas...
Members of the Concerned Cypress County Owners Group Decision on Preliminary Question – Application for Review of Decision 27240-D01-2023 Buffalo Trail Wind Power Project, AUC Decision 28057-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Electricity - Review and Variance Application Members of the Concerned Cypress County Owners Group (“CCCOG”) applied for review and variance of Decision 27240-D01-2023...
Foothills Solar GP Inc. Foothills Solar Project, AUC Decision 27486-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Solar Power - Facilities Application Foothills Solar GP Inc. (“Foothills Solar”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Elemental Energy Renewable Inc., applied for permission to...
ATCO Gas, a Division of ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. 2023 Load Balancing Deferral Account Rider L, AUC Decision 28061-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Rates - Load Balancing Deferral Account Application ATCO Gas, a division of ATCO Gas and Pipelines (“ATCO Gas”), requested approval of Rider L, which recovers the load...
Reminder of Migratory Bird Season, AER Bulletin 2023-20
Link to Bulletin Summarized Oil and Gas - Monitoring The AER reminded license holders of the beginning of migratory bird season in Alberta. Licensees must: (i) adhere to their plans to protect...
ATCO Electric Ltd. v Alberta Utilities Commission, 2023 ABCA 129
Link to Decision Summarized Rates - Stranded Assets Application ATCO Electric Ltd. (“AE”) appealed AUC Decision 21609-D01-2019 regarding ATCO Electric Ltd., Z Factor Adjustment for the 2016 Regional...
Ranchland (Municipal District No. 66) v Alberta Energy Regulator, 2023 ABCA 127
Link to Decision Summarized Permission to Appeal - Jurisdiction Application Ranchland (Municipal District No. 66) applied for permission to appeal a decision made by the AER. The application for...
New Edition of Directive 067, AER Bulletin 2023-19
Link to Bulletin Summarized Oil and Gas - Financial Submissions A new edition of Directive 067: Eligibility Requirements for Acquiring and Holding Energy Licences and Approvals has been published...
ATCO Electric Ltd. Disposal of 2018-2021 Transmission Deferral Accounts and Annual Filing for Adjustment Balances, AUC Decision 26573-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Electricity - Rates Application ATCO Electric Ltd. (“AE”) applied for approval of its 2018-2021 transmission direct assigned capital deferral accounts (“DACDAs”) and...
ATCO Electric Ltd. Barrhead Area Fibre Optic Project, AUC Decision 28116-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Facilities - Fort McMurray Telecommunications Application ATCO Electric Ltd. (“AE”) applied for permission to construct and operate an underground fibre optic cable to...
Monitoring for Snowmelt and Overland Flooding, AER Bulletin 2023-18
Link to Bulletin Summarized Oil and Gas - Monitoring The AER cautioned against the hazards of seasonal snowmelt and resultant overland flooding. Specifically, licensees: (i) must physically inspect...
New Functionality Moving to OneStop, AER Bulletin 2023-17
Link to Bulletin Summarized Facilities - Land Dispositions As of April 20, 2023, new cancellation and objection functionality is available in OneStop’s public lands module. If the AER initiates the...
Greengate Power Corporation Luna Solar+ Project, AUC Decision 27843-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Solar Power - Facilities Application Greengate Power Corporation (“Greengate”) applied for permission to construct and operate the Luna Solar+ Project (the “Project”) on...
Shell Canada Limited Scotford Industrial System Designation Amendment, AUC Decision 27826-D01-2023
Link to Decision Summarized Rates - Stranded Assets Application Shell Canada Ltd. (“Shell”) applied for permission to amend the industrial system designation (“ISD”) of the Scotford Industrial...