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 Edition of Directive 023, AER Bulletin 2024-01
Link to Decision Summarized Oil - Facilities On February 8, 2024, the Alberta Energy Regulator (“AER”) released a new edition of Directive 023: Oil Sands Project Applications (“Directive 023”), effective immediately. Directive 023 replaced the May 2013 draft edition....
London Economics International LLC Module B Study: Overview of Modeling Results and Key Findings Prepared for the Alberta Utilities Commission, AUC Proceeding 28542: AUC Inquiry Into the Ongoing Economic, Orderly and Efficient Development of Electricity Generation in Alberta
Link to Decision Summarized Market Development– Reliability Scope of Study The Government of Alberta directed the AUC to conduct an inquiry regarding the impact of the rising level of renewable energy on the Alberta electricity system, more specifically, the changes...
AUC Consultation on Proposed Rule Development for Emergency Billing Relief, AUC Bulletin 2024-01
Link to Decision Summarized Utility Billing - Rules The Alberta Utilities Commission (“AUC”) initiated a consultation process to incorporate requirements for emergency billing relief into a new rule to provide predictability and transparency for stakeholders. The AUC...
Enforcement Staff of the Alberta Utilities Commission Settlement Agreement with Avex Energy Inc., AUC Decision 28765-D01-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Enforcement - Facilities Application Enforcement staff of the AUC Enforcement Division (“Enforcement Staff”) applied for approval of a negotiated settlement agreement (“NSA”) between Enforcement Staff and Avex Energy Inc. (“Avex”) in...
TransAlta Corporation Pinnacle 1 & 2 Peaking Thermal Electric Power Project, AUC Decision 28464-D01-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Thermal Peaking - Facilities Application TransAlta Corporation (“TransAlta”) applied for approval to construct and operate a natural gas-fired thermal power plant (the “Power Plant”), including an associated substation, located within the...
Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC Trans Mountain Expansion Project Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity OC-065 Application for Variance and Condition Relief under the Certificate Mountain 3 Horizontal Directional Drill, CER Reasons for Decision (C28265-3; A8W1D0)
Link to Decision Summarized Gas - Facilities Application Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC (“Trans Mountain”), pursuant to s 190 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act , submitted an application to vary (“Application”) Schedule A of Certificate of Public Convenience and...
ATCO Utilities (ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. and ATCO Electric Ltd.) Information Technology Common Matters Proceeding (AUC Decision 20514-D02-2019)
Link to decision summarizedInformation Technology - Just and Reasonable In this decision, the Alberta Utilities Commission (“AUC”) considered whether to approve the prices contained in the...
ENMAX Energy Corporation v Alberta Utilities Commission, 2019 ABCA 222
Link to decision summarizedPermission to Appeal - Denied In this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”) considered the applications of ENMAX Energy Corporation (“ENMAX”), TransCanada Energy...
AER Bulletin 2019-13: New Alberta Environment and Parks Surface Water Allocation Directive
Link to decision summarizedWater Licence - Environmental Effects In this bulletin, the AER announced that Alberta Environment and Parks (“AEP”) released the Surface Water Allocation Directive. This...
AltaLink Management Ltd. Application for Review of Decision 22612-D01-2018 (AUC Decision 24240-D01-2019)
Link to decision summarizedReview and Variance – Sale of Transmission Assets – No-harm Test In this decision, the AUC considered an application (the “Review Application”) by AltaLink Management Ltd....
AER Bulletin 2019-12: New Subsurface Order Institutes New Monitoring, Setback, and Response Requirements to Manage the Risk of Induced Seismicity Near the Brazeau Reservoir
Link to decision summarizedHydraulic Fracturing On May 2, 2019, the AER released Subsurface Order No. 6, which established new monitoring, reporting, and setback requirements to manage the potential...
Reference re Environmental Management Act (British Columbia) (2019 BCCA 181)
Link to decision summarizedTransMountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) - Environmental Regulation - Federalism - Separation of Powers In this reference, the British Columbia Court of Appeal (“BCCA”)...
Request for Regulatory Appeal by Michael Judd of Pipeline Licence Issued to Shell Canada Corporation (AER Regulatory Appeal No.: 1916723)
Link to decision summarizedRequest for Regulatory Appeal - Pipeline Licence - Granted In this decision, the AER considered Michael Judd’s request under section 38 of the Responsible Energy...
Request for Regulatory Appeal by Michael Judd of Resume Drilling Licence Issued to Shell Canada Corporation (AER Regulatory Appeal No.: 1916724)
Link to decision summarizedRequest for Regulatory Appeal - Dismissed - Resume Drilling Licence In this decision, the AER considered Michael Judd’s request under section 38 of the Responsible Energy...
AER Bulletin 2019-11: Public Land Disposition Applications Moving to OneStop
Link to decision summarizedPublic Land Disposition - OneStop This bulletin announced that as of May 30, 2019, new, amendment, and renewal applications for the following public land disposition types...
Request for Regulatory Appeal by Martin Hillmer – Shell Canada Limited (AER Regulatory Appeal No.: 1913546)
Link to decision summarizedRequest for Regulatory Appeal - Granted In this decision, the AER considered a request by Mr. Martin Hillmer for a regulatory appeal of Reclamation Certificate No. 151150...
AER Bulletin 2019-10: New Manual for Coal Mine Pit Wall Abandonment
Link to decision summarizedCoal Mine Pit Wall Abandonment In this bulletin, the AER announced that on May 8, 2019, it had released Manual 17: Coal Mine Pit Wall Abandonment. The AER confirmed that...
Enbridge Pipelines Inc. and Westover Express Pipeline Limited Joint Application for Sale and Purchase of Line 10 (NEB Letter Decision)
Link to decision summarizedLeave to Sell - Leave to Purchase In this decision, the NEB considered a joint application (the “Application”) for sale and purchase of the Line 10 pipeline (the...
AER Bulletin 2019-09: 2019/20 Orphan Fund Levy
Link to Bulletin SummarizedOrphan Fund Levy In this bulletin, the AER announced that, in accordance with Part 11 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act, the AER was prescribing an orphan fund levy in...
Evergreen Gas Co-op Ltd. – Franchise Agreement with the Town of Drayton Valley (AUC Decision 24257-D01-2019)
Link to decision summarizedGas – Franchise Agreement – Section 45 of the Municipal Government Act – Unreasonable Discrimination In this decision, the AUC considered an application by Evergreen Gas...
AUC Announcement: Watch AUC Public Hearing Through Livestream Video
Link to decision summarizedPublic Hearing - Live Stream On April 29, 2019, the AUC started broadcasting video in addition to the audio and exhibit display for oral hearings.In the Calgary and...
AltaGas Utilities Inc. Application for Approval of an Exemption Extension for Rule 004 and Rule 028 (AUC Decision 23948-D01-2019)
Link to decision summarizedExemption Extension - Rule 004 - Rule 028 In this decision, the AUC considered an application from AltaGas Utilities Inc. (“AltaGas”) for an extension of previously...
ATCO Pipelines 2019 Interim Revenue Requirement Application (AUC Decision 24285-D01-2019)
Link to decision summarizedInterim Revenue RequirementIn this decision, the AUC considered ATCO Pipelines (“ATCO”)’s request for a 2019 interim revenue requirement. The AUC approved a 2019 interim...
AER Bulletin 2019-08: Reminder of Increased Risk of Fire During Drier Months
Link to decision summarizedFlare Stacks - Fire Risk The AER reminded licensees that the risk of grass and brush fires that start at flare stacks increases in the drier seasons.The AER recommended...
AUC Announcement: Consultation Tool Launched April 22, 2019
Link to decision summarizedAUC Engage The AUC launched a new consultation tool called “AUC Engage” on April 22, 2019. The Engage tool allows participants to log in and participate in discussions...
AUC Announcement: Listen to Hearings and View Exhibits Online
Link to decision summarizedHearing Webcasts The AUC launched a revision to the live stream broadcasting for hearings. In addition to audio, this revision will visually display exhibits as they are...
Piikani Transmission Holding Limited Partnership Application to Encumber Assets Pursuant to Sections 101(2)(d)(i) and 102(1) of the Public Utilities Act (AUC Decision 24105-D01-2019)
Link to decision summarizedTransmission Assets In this decision, the AUC approved Piikani Transmission Holding Limited Partnership (“PTHLP”), 1792191 Alberta Corp., and 1656877 Alberta Ltd.’s...
Canadian Natural Resources Limited v Municipal District of Greenview No. 16 Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, 2019 ABCA 143
Link to decision summarizedPermission to Appeal - Granted In this decision, the applicants, Canadian Natural Resources Limited (“CNRL”) and Shell Canada Limited (“Shell”), sought permission to...
EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. 2017 Performance-Based Regulation Capital Tracker True-Up Application – Module One (AUC Decision 23571-D01-2019)
Link to decision summarizedPBR Regulation - Capital Tracker True-Up In this decision, the AUC directed EPCOR to revise its accounting test for 2017 in a compliance filing.AUC Process for Reviewing...
EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. 2017 Performance-Based Regulation Capital Tracker True-Up Application – Module One (AUC Decision 23571-D01-2019)
Link to decision summarizedPBR Regulation - Capital Tracker True-Up In this decision, the AUC directed EPCOR to revise its accounting test for 2017 in a compliance filing.AUC Process for Reviewing...