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.
Regulatory Appeals of AER Orders (Regulatory Appeals 1943516 and 1943521), Decision 2024 ABAER 001 (Redacted)
Link to Decision Summarized Oil and Gas – Regulatory Appeal Application This decision dealt with the regulatory appeal by AlphaBow Energy Ltd. (“AlphaBow”) of two orders issued by the AER’s Closure and Liability Management branch (“CLM”). CLM issued the first order on...
Release of the Rock-Hosted Mineral Resource Development Rules and Directive 091: Rock-Hosted Mineral Resource Development, AER Bulletin 2024-03
Link to Decision Summarized Oil and Gas – Development Rules The AER released Directive 091: Rock-Hosted Mineral Resource Development as part of the regulatory framework for rock-hosted mineral resource development. Directive 091 will come into effect once the...
Inuvialuit Energy Security Project Ltd. Application for a Well Approval in Relation to the TUK M-18 Well Pursuant to Subsection 10(1) of the Northwest Territories’ Oil and Gas Drilling and Productions Regulations, CER Letter Decision A8W4J5 (C28481-1)
Link to Decision Summarized Oil and Gas - Facilities Application ATCO Pipelines (“AP”) requested approval of the 2024 revenue requirement of $362,852,000 on an interim and refundable basis. Decision The AUC approved AP’s 2024 interim revenue requirement of...
ATCO Electric Ltd. Kiwetinohk Opal Transmission Project, AUC Decision 28658-D01-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Electricity – Facilities Application ATCO Electric Ltd. (“AE”) applied for approval to construct and operate a new transmission line, a transmission line alteration and a connection to the approved Kiwetinohk Opal Gas Project. Decision The...
Alberta Electric System Operator Application for Approval of Amended Section 306.7 of the ISO Rules, AUC Decision 28081-D01-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Electricity - ISO Rules Application In this application, the AESO requested approval of; amendments to s 306.7 of the independent system operator (“ISO”) rules (“ISO Rules”), Mothball Outage Reporting; consequential amendments to s 2.4 of...
Amendments to AUC Rule 022: Rules on Costs in Utility Rates Proceedings and Rule 009: Rules on Local Intervener Costs, AUC Bulletin 2024-02
Link to Decision Summarized Rates – Proceeding Costs The AUC amended Rule 022: Rules on Costs in Utility Rates Proceedings (“Rule 022”), including the scale of costs, which governs the recovery of the costs of participation in rates proceedings before the AUC. The AUC...
City of Lethbridge – 2018-2020 Transmission Facility Owner – General Tariff Application, AUC Decision 24847-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - GTA This decision set out the determinations of the AUC regarding a general tariff application (application or “GTA”) filed by the City of Lethbridge’s electric...
Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC Trans Mountain Expansion Project – Review of Decision MH-003-2018 Issued to 1054408 BC Ltd. in Detailed Route Hearing, CER Decision MH-001-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedPipeline - Routing BackgroundOn 16 December 2013, Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC (“Trans Mountain”) applied with the National Energy Board (“NEB”) under section 52 of the...
Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC Trans Mountain Expansion Project Detailed Route Hearings MH-002-2020 (Sugarloaf Ranches Ltd.) and MH-003-2020 (KGHM Ajax Mining Inc.)
Link to Decision SummarizedPipeline - Routing BackgroundThe Trans Mountain Expansion Project (“TMEP”) includes twinning the existing 1,147-kilometre-long Trans Mountain Pipeline (“TMPL”) system in...
Canadian Natural Resources Limited -Primrose East Power Plant and Industrial System Designation Amendment Project, AUC Decision 25184-D02-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedFacilities - Industrial System Designation In this decision, the AUC considered applications from Canadian Natural Resources Limited (“CNRL”) to construct and operate a...
Regulatory Documents Review, AER Bulletin 2020-07
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Regulatory Documents Review The AER continually works to improve its regulations and processes to ensure Alberta’s energy resources are developed in a manner...
New Edition of Directive 054, AER Bulletin 2020-08
Link to Bulletin SummarizedBulletin - Reporting and Surveillance - In Situ Oil Sands Schemes On April 3, 2020, the AER released a new edition of Directive 054: Performance Reporting and Surveillance...
Alberta Electric System Operator – Decision on Preliminary Question – Application for Review of Decision 22942-D02-2019 – 2018 Independent System Operator Tariff, AUC Decision 25086-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedReview and Variance - ISO Tariff In this decision, the AUC considered an application filed by the Alberta Direct Connect Consumers Association (“ADC”), the Dual Use...
ATCO Electric Ltd. – Z Factor Compliance Filing to Decision 21609-D01-2019, AUC Decision 25071-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - Compliance Filing In this decision, the AUC determined ATCO Electric Ltd.’s (“ATCO Electric’s”) compliance with AUC directions issued in Decision 21609-D01-2019....
COVID-19 Announcements and Bulletins
COVID-19 Updates AUC Defers Live Proceedings to Reduce COVID-19 Risk (AUC Bulletin 2020-06)Link to Bulletin SummarizedOn March 12, 2020, the AUC announced that, as part of its response to COVID-19,...
AUC Announcement – Carolyn Dahl Rees Appointed to AUC
Link to Announcement SummarizedAUC Appointments Veteran utility and regulatory lawyer Carolyn Dahl Rees is rejoining the AUC as a Commission member. Ms. Dahl Rees was the AUC’s first interim chair...
AltaGas Utilities Inc. Busby Pipeline System Project, Decision 25306-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedFacilities - Gas Pipeline - Project Need In this decision, the AUC considered whether it was in the public interest to approve an application by AltaGas Utilities Inc....
Nova Gas Transmission Ltd System Rate Design and Services Application, CER Decision RH-001-2019
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - Gas Pipeline - Rate Design In this decision, the CER considered an application (the “Application”) from Nova Gas Transmission Ltd. (“NGTL”) for approval of a new...
AltaGas Utilities Inc. 2018 Depreciation Study Compliance Filing Pursuant to Decision 24161-D03-2019, AUC Decision 25368-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - Depreciation Study - Compliance Filing In this decision, the AUC considered whether to approve AltaGas Utilities Inc. (“AltaGas”)’s compliance with the AUC’s...
Amendments to AUC Rule 003, AUC Bulletin 2020-09
Link to Bulletin SummarizedAUC Rules On March 23, 2020, the AUC approved amendments to Rule 003: Service Standards for Energy Service Providers, with an effective date of March 23, 2020. The changes...
ENMAX Energy Corporation 2019-2022 Energy Price Setting Plan, Decision 24721-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates, Energy Price Setting Plan In this decision, the AUC considered an application from ENMAX Energy Corporation (“EEC”) in which the regulated rate option (“RRO”)...
ATCO Electric Ltd. – Hanna Region Transmission Development Deferral Account Compliance Filing, Decision 24753-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates In this decision, the AUC set out its determinations on the application by ATCO Electric Ltd. (“ATCO”) for approval of its Hanna Region Transmission Development...
ENMAX Energy Corporation 2017-2020 Regulated Rate Option Non-Energy Tariff, AUC Decision 23752-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - RRO Non-Energy Tariff In this decision, the AUC considered the 2017-2020 regulated rate option (“RRO”) non-energy tariff application (the “Application”) filed by...
Direct Energy Regulated Services Application for True Up of the 2019 Interim Rates for the Default Rate Tariff and the Regulated Rate Tariff, AUC Decision 25341-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates - Electricity - True-Up Application In this decision, the AUC considered an application (the “Application”) from Direct Energy Regulated Services (“DERS”) to true-up...
Alberta Electric System Operator – NID Application and EPCOR Distribution and Transmission Inc. – Facility Applications – West Edmonton Transmission Upgrade Project, Decision 23943-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedNeeds Identification Application, Transmission Lines In this decision, the AUC approved a needs identification document (“NID”) application from the Alberta Electric...
Oil Sands Environmental Monitoring Program Regulation and Regional Monitoring Approval Conditions, AER Bulletin 2020-05
Link to Bulletin SummarizedAER Bulletin The AER requires oil sands operators to conduct and support regional monitoring activities and to participate in regional monitoring programs. When the AER...
Directive 065 and Manual 012 Updated to Align with Government Policy, AER Bulletin 2020-03
Link to Bulletin SummarizedAER Bulletin On March 11, 2020, the AER released new editions of Directive 065: Resources Applications for Oil and Gas Reservoirs and Manual 012: Energy Development...
Process Change When Resuming Drilling Operations After Setting Surface Casing, AER Bulletin 2020-02
Link to Bulletin SummarizedAER Bulletin Previously, licensees who continued their drilling operations more than six months after it was started filed for and received a “resume approval.” There was...
Capital Power Generation Services Inc. – Halkirk 2 Wind Power Project Time Extension, Decision 25047-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedExtension of time - Wind farm requirements In this decision, the AUC granted Capital Power Generation Services Inc. (“Capital Power”) a time extension to construct the...
FortisAlberta Inc. Municipal Franchise Fee Amendment for 3 Municipalities, Decision 25425-D01-2020
Link to Decision SummarizedRates In this decision, the AUC approved amendments to the Municipal Franchise Fee Riders as follows:...