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.
New and Enhanced Functionality Moving to OneStop, AER Bulletin 2024-06
Link to Bulletin Summarized Download Summary in PDF Applications - Process The AER announced new functionality and enhancements to its OneStop platform. The AER will post notice and schedule a system outage to implement these changes. The changes relate to the...
Inuvialuit Energy Security Project Ltd – Application for Authorization for Installation and Operation of the Energy Centre, File OF-EP-OA-I184-1414 03/4257714, C28698-1
Link to Decision Summarized Download Summary in PDF Gas - Facilities Application Inuvialuit Energy Security Project Ltd. (“IESPL”) applied to the Canadian Energy Regulator (“CER”) for approval of the installation and operation of the Inuvialuit Energy Security Project...
Site Reduction Reclamation Certificate Pilot, AER Bulletin 2024-05
Link to Bulletin Summarized Download Summary in PDF Facilities – Partial Reclamation In December 2023, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (“AEPA”) announced the Interim directive: pilot for site reductions on well sites (Land Policy, 2023, No.2), regarding a...
Pilot for Reclaiming Peatlands, AER Bulletin 2024-04
Link to Bulletin Summarized Download Summary in PDF Oil and Gas – Land Reclamation On December 14, 2023, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (“AEPA”) released the Interim directive: pilot for reclaiming peatlands - decision framework and support tools for...
AUC Updates to the Hydro and Electric Energy Regulation, AUC Bulletin 2024-04
Link to Bulletin Summarized Download Summary in PDF Power - Law On March 6, the Alberta Utilities Commission (“AUC”) made updates to the Hydro and Electric Energy Regulation (“HEER”) to align it with the Electricity Statutes (Modernizing Alberta’s Electricity Grid)...
Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Application for Approval of the Mainline Tolling Settlement and Final Tolls, CER Letter Decision File 4637048, C28621-1
Link to Decision Summarized Download Summary in PDF Gas – Tolls Application Enbridge Pipelines Inc. (“Enbridge”) applied for approval of the Mainline Tolling Settlement (the “Settlement”). Decision The Canadian Energy Regulator (“CER”) approved the application, as...
AUC Moves to Reduce Regulatory Burden and Improve Efficiency with Rule Amendments, AUC Bulletin 2020-36
Link to Bulletin Summarized The AUC has proposed amendments to Rule 003: Service Standards for Energy Service Providers that would:Remove the requirement to submit call center and billing...
Amendments to AUC Rule 017 Including Streamlining Requirements, AUC Bulletin 2020-35
Link to Bulletin Summarized On November 6, 2020, the amendments to Rule 017: Procedures and Process for Development of ISO Rules and Filing of ISO Rules with the Alberta Utilities Commission, which...
Dorin v EPCOR Distribution and Transmission Inc., 2020 ABCA 391
Link to Decision SummarizedAUC Jurisdiction In this decision, both a Majority (Crighton, J.A. and Pentelechuk J.A) and Minority (O’Farrall J.A.) of the Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal...
ENMAX Energy Application for True-Up of the 2017-2020 Regulated Rate Option Interim Rates, AUC Decision 25881-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - Regulate Rate Option In this decision, the AUC approved the application from ENMAX Energy Corporation (“EEC”) to true-up its 2017-2020 regulated rate option...
Commission-Initiated Review and Variance of Decision 22942-D02-2019, AUC Decision 24932-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedReview and Variance - Contributions in Aid of Construction In this decision, the AUC decided to vary findings made in Section 8 of Decision 22942-D02-2019 (“the Decision”)...
Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC Trans Mountain Expansion Project Detailed Route Hearing MH-027-2020 – Phase 1, CER Letter Decision
Link to Decision SummarizedPipelines - Route Hearing In this letter decision, the CER found that, subject to the Phase 2 and 3 Hearings, the route proposed by Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC (“Trans...
Invitation for Feedback on Revisions to Directive 20, AER Bulletin 2020-23
Link to Bulletin Summarized After a multiyear study, the AER published Open File Report 2019-06: A Risk-Based Methodology for Commingled Well Abandonment – Southeastern Alberta Gas Field Case Study....
Westcoast Energy Inc. Doing Business As Spectra Energy Transmission Application to Construct and Operate the Silverstar Project, CER Letter Decision
Link to Decision SummarizedPipeline Facilities In this decision, the CER approved the application from Westcoast Energy Inc. doing business as Spectra Energy Transmission (“Westcoast”) to construct...
Anomaly Adjustment Applications in Rebasing the 2018-2022 Performance Based Regulation Plans for Alberta Electric and Gas Distribution Utilities, AUC Decision 25422-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - Anomaly Adjustment In this decision, the AUC considered the anomaly adjustment applications (”Anomaly Applications”) filed by AltaGas Utilities Inc. (“AltaGas”),...
Alberta Electric System Operator 2019 Deferral Account Reconciliation, AUC Decision 25768-D02-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedAESO - Deferral Account Shortfall In this decision, the AUC approved the request from the Alberta Electric System Operator (“AESO”) to settle its 2019 net deferral account...
Town of Canmore Water and Wastewater Service Agreement with the Municipal District of Bighorn for the Hamlet of Dead Man’s Flat, AUC Decision 25890-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - Water Services In this decision, the AUC approved the application from the Town of Canmore (“Canmore”) for approval of a potable water and wastewater service...
Trans Québec and Maritimes Pipeline Inc. Reinforcement and Asset Purchase Application, CER GH-001-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedPipelines, Asset Purchase, Construction and Operation In this decision, the CER approved an application from Trans Québec and Maritimes Pipeline Inc. (“TQM”) to purchase...
ENMAX Power 2021 Interim Transmission Facility Owner Tariff, AUC Decision 25945-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates- Intergenerational Equity In this decision, the AUC approved the application filed by ENMAX Power Corporation (“EPC”) for its 2021 interim transmission facility...
Coquitlam (City) v. British Columbia Utilities Commission, 2020 BCCA 289
Link to Decision SummarizedLeave to Appeal - Decommissioning - Pipelines - Jurisdiction In this decision, the City of Coquitlam (“City”) obtained leave to appeal a reconsideration decision (the...
ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. 2020 Unaccounted-for Gas Rider D, AUC Decision 25798-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates In this decision, the AUC approved the application from ATCO Gas (“ATCO”), a division of ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. for an unaccounted-for gas (“UFG”) Rider D rate...
Dow Fort Saskatchewan Industrial Complex Industrial System Designation and Ownership Transfer, AUC Decision 25696-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedIndustrial System Designation In this decision, the AUC approved an application from Dow Chemical Canada ULC (“Dow”) for an industrial system designation (“ISD”) that...
Suspension of Specified Penalties Program for Certain Self-Reported Contraventions Extended to June 18, 2021, AUC Bulletin 2020-34
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin The AUC extended the operation of Bulletin 2020-10 until June 18, 2021, the date on which the repayment period concluded under the Utility Payment Deferral...
Process Improvements to AUC Rate Proceedings, AUC Bulletin 2020-33
Link to Bulletin SummarizedRule 001 - Rule 022 The AUC announced it would make changes to its process and procedures for rate cases. The Bulletin provides additional information concerning the...
Amendments to AUC Rule 027, AUC Bulletin 2020-32
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulk-Power System Security - Critical Infrastructure Protection Reliability Standards On October 21, 2020, the AUC amended Rule 027: Specified Penalties for Contravention...
Alberta PowerLine Limited Partnership Application for Exemption from Rule 005, AUC Decision 25477-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedExemption from ISO Reporting Requirements In this decision, the AUC approved the application from Alberta PowerLine Limited Partnership (“APL”) requesting an exemption...
AltaLink Management Red Deer Area Transmission Development Decommission and Salvage of Remaining Portions of Transmission Lines 80L and 716L, AUC Decision 25140-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedAUC Jurisdiction - Historical Resources In this decision, the AUC approved applications from AltaLink Management Ltd. (“AltaLink”) to decommission and salvage portions of...
Barlow Solar Park, AUC Decision 25690-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedFacilities, Solar Power Plant In this decision, the AUC approved an application from Barlow Solar Park Ltd. (“Barlow Solar”) to construct and operate a 27-megawatt solar...
AUC 2021 Generic Cost of Capital, AUC Decision 24110-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates In this decision, the AUC set the return on equity (“ROE”) of 8.5 per cent and deemed equity ratio of 37 per cent (39 per cent for AltaGas Utilities Inc.)...
City of Lethbridge Application for 2021 Interim Transmission Facility Owner Tariff, AUC Decision 25868-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates In this application, the AUC approved the application by the City of Lethbridge (“Lethbridge”) for the 2021 interim and refundable transmission facility owner...