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.
Kinbrook Solar, GP Inc. and Solar Krafte Utilities Inc. Rainier Solar Farm, AUC Decision 28439-D01-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Download Summary in PDF Rates - Electricity Application Kinbrook Solar, GP Inc. and Solar Krafte Utilities Inc. (the “Applicants”) applied to construct and operate a 450-megawatts (“MW”) solar power plant designated as Rainier Solar Farm,...
ENMAX Power Corporation 2024 Annual Performance-Based Regulation Rate Adjustment, AUC Decision 28575-D02-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Download Summary in PDF Rates - Electricity Application ENMAX Power Corporation (“ENMAX”) submitted its 2024 annual performance-based regulation (“PBR”) rate adjustment filing pursuant to the provisions of the third generation PBR (“PBR3”)...
ATCO Gas 2024 Annual Performance-Based Regulation Rate Adjustment, AUC Decision 28569-D02-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Download Summary in PDF PBR-Rates - Gas Application ATCO Gas (“AG”) submitted its 2024 annual performance-based regulation (“PBR”) rate adjustment filing pursuant to the provisions of the third generation PBR (“PBR3”) plan. AG requested...
Airport City East Ltd. Airport City Solar Project, AUC Decision 27885-D01-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Download Summary in PDF Facilities – Duty to Consult Application Airport City Solar East Ltd. (“ACSE”) requested approval to construct and operate the 112-megawatt (“MW”) Airport City Solar power plant (the “Project”) bordering the Edmonton...
Amendments to Rule 027, AUC Bulletin 2024-05
Link to Bulletin Summarized Download Summary in PDF Power - Law The AUC amended Rule 027: Specified Penalties for Contravention of Reliability Standards ("Rule 027") to include the reliability standard PER-006-AB-1 (R1), assigning this standard a penalty category 2....
EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. 2024 Annual Performance-Based Regulation Rate Adjustment, AUC Decision 28581-D02-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Download Summary in PDF Rates - Electricity Application EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. (“EDTI”) submitted its 2024 annual performance-based regulation (“PBR”) rate adjustment filing pursuant to the provisions of the third...
Invitation for Feedback on Revisions to Directive 065, AER Bulletin 2022-018
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - LawThe AER issued Bulletin 2022-018 seeking feedback on the proposed updates to Directive 065: Applications for Oil and Gas Reservoirs. Directive 065.The...
Proceeding and Roundtable to Establish Parameters for the Third Generation of Performance-Based Regulation Plans, AUC Bulletin 2022-06
Link to Bulletin SummarizedRates - Performance-Based RegulationThe AUC announced that it will initiate Proceeding 27388 to establish the parameters of the performance-based regulation (“PBR”) plans...
Enforcement Staff of the AUC Allegations Against Green Block Mining Corp. Westlock Power Plant Phase 1, AUC Decision 26379-D03-2022
Link to Decision SummarizedEnforcement - ContraventionsIn this decision, the AUC determined that Green Block Mining Corp. (“Green Block”), formerly known as Link Global Technologies Inc.,...
Solar Krafte Utilities Inc. Brooks Solar Farm, AUC Decision 26435-D01-2022
Link to Decision SummarizedFacilities - Solar PowerIn this decision, the AUC approved the application from Solar Krafte Utilities Inc. (“Solar Krafte”) to construct and operate the 400-megawatt...
EPCOR Energy Alberta GP Inc. 2021-2022 Regulated Rate Tariff Refiling Application, AUC Decision 27305-D01-2022
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - ElectricityIn this decision, the AUC approved the 2021-2022 regulated rate tariff (“RRT”) refiling application filed by EPCOR Energy Alberta GP Inc. (“EPCOR”)....
Direct Energy Regulated Services Amended 2020-2022 Energy Price Setting Plan (Index), AUC Decision 27262-D01-2022
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - ElectricityIn this decision, the AUC approved Direct Energy Regulated Services (“DERS”) amended 2020-2022 energy price setting plan (“EPSP”) Index.After the AUC...
AltaLink Management Ltd. Decision on Application for Review and Variance of Decision 26509-D01-2022 (Corrigenda) AltaLink Management Ltd. 2022-2023 GTA, AUC Decision 27246-D01-2022
Link to Decision SummarizedTariff - RatesIn this decision, the AUC denied the application from AltaLink Management Ltd. (“AML”) for review and variance of Decision 26509-D01-2022 (Corrigenda). AML...
Fort McMurray Métis Local Council 1935 v Alberta Energy Regulator and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., 2022 ABCA 179
Link to Decision SummarizedOil and Gas - Regulatory AppealIn this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”) approved the application from Fort McMurray Métis Local Council 1935 (“Fort McMurray...
Direct Energy Regulated Services DRT and RRT Application for Interim Rates True-Up and 2021 Bad Debt and Late Payment Charge Deferral Account Disposition, AUC Decision 27273-D01-2022
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - EnergyIn this decision, the AUC approved the application from Direct Energy Regulated Services (“DERS”) to true-up its interim rates for the default rate tariff...
WCSB Alberta Limited Partnership v Alberta Utilities Commission, 2022 ABCA 177
Link to Decision SummarizedPermission to Appeal - LawIn this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”) considered three related applications for permission to appeal decisions by the AUC under...
Reference re Impact Assessment Act, 2022 ABCA 165
Link to Decision SummarizedReference - Division of PowersIn this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”) determined that the Impact Assessment Act (“IAA” or “Act”) and the Physical Activities...
Enel Alberta Wind Inc. Grizzly Bear Creek Wind Power Project, AUC Decision 26677-D01-2022
Link to Decision SummarizedWind Power - FacilitiesIn this decision, the AUC approved the application from Enel Alberta Wind Inc. (“Enel”) to construct and operate the 152.1-megawatt (“MW”) power...
Melcor Developments Ltd., Highview Communities Inc., and Sunset Properties Inc. Complaint Regarding FortisAlberta Inc. Changing Design Standards, AUC Decision 26649-D02-2022
Link to Decision SummarizedElectricity - Discriminatory ServiceThis decision provided the reasons for the AUC’s dismissal of the complaint filed by Melcor Developments Ltd., Highview Communities...
Surety Bonds Oil Sands and Coal Mining Reclamation Security, AER Bulletin 2022-017
Link to Bulletin SummarizedCoal - Mine Financial Security ProgramStarting with the 2022 Mine Financial Security Program (“MFSP”) annual report submissions, the AER will accept surety bonds as...
ENMAX Power Corporation and ENMAX Energy Corporation Amendments to the Code of Conduct Regulation Compliance Plan, AUC Decision 27110-D01-2022
Link to Decision Summarized Code of Conduct Compliance Plan Amendments In this decision, the AUC approved the application from ENMAX Power Corporation and ENMAX Energy Corporation (collectively,...
Monitoring for Snowmelt and Overland Flooding, AER Bulletin 2022-16
Link to Bulletin SummarizedFlood Awareness - Risk MitigationOn April 27, 2022, the AER issued Bulletin 2022-16, stating that the Rocky Mountain snowmelt occurs each year between April and June,...
Increased Risk of Wildfire During Drier Seasons, AER Bulletin 2022-15
Link to Bulletin Summarized Fire Season - Directive 060 In this bulletin, issued on April 26, 2022, the AER noted that the wildfire season in Alberta is from March 1 to October 31. Since the oil and...
New Edition of Directive 020, AER Bulletin 2022-14
Link to Bulletin Summarized Regulatory Requirements - Well Abandonment On April 25, 2022, the AER released a new edition of Directive 020: Well Abandonment. Regulatory requirements unique to this...
Update to Master Schedule of Standards and Conditions, AER Bulletin 2022-13
Link to Bulletin Summarized Application Requirements On April 21, 2022, the AER announced that effective May 5, 2022, the Master Schedule of Standards and Conditions (“MSSC”) would be updated to...
Request for Information Regarding Cryptocurrency Mining Operations Associated With AER-Regulated Activities, AER Bulletin 2022-12
Link to Bulletin Summarized Compliance – Risk Mitigation The AER advised that it is aware of cryptocurrency mining operations running alongside AER-regulated activities. The AER is looking to better...
2079816 Alberta Ltd. Hanna Solar Project, AUC Decision 27178-D01-2022
Link to Decision SummarizedSolar Power - FacilitiesIn this decision, the AUC approved the application from 2079816 Alberta Ltd., as general partner of PACE Canada LP, to construct and operate the...
Orphan Fund Levy for Large Facilities, AER Bulletin 2022-11
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - Orphan WellsIn accordance with Part 11 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act and Directive 024: Large Facility Liability Management Program (LFP), the AER is...
Orphan Fund Levy – Licensee Liability Rating and Oilfield Waste Liability Programs, AER Bulletin 2022-10
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOil and Gas - Orphan WellsIn accordance with Part 11 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act, the AER prescribed an orphan fund levy of $72 million to fund the operating...
AER Administration Fees (Industry Levy), AER Bulletin 2022-09
Link to Bulletin SummarizedFacilities - New Fee MethodologyOn April 11, 2022, the AER announced the first set of administration fees calculated under the new methodology authorized by the Government...