Regulatory Insights
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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.
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...
Northstone Power Corporation Application for an Order Permitting the Sharing of Records Not Available to the Public Regarding the Elmworth Generation Station, AUC Decision 28781-D01-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Electricity - Markets Application Northstone Power Corporation (“Northstone”) applied pursuant to s 3 of the Fair, Efficient and Open Competition Regulation (“FEOCR”) seeking permission to share records not available to the public regarding...
Milner Power Inc. and ATCO Power Ltd. Complaints Regarding the ISO Transmission Loss Factor Rule and Loss Factor Methodology (AUC Decision 790-D07-2019)
Link to decision summarizedLoss Factor Methodology In this decision, the AUC found that the Alberta Electric System Operator (“AESO”)’s proposed Modified Module B methodology for calculating loss...
AUC Bulletin 2019-04: Errata Decisions to Correct Typographical, Spelling and Calculation Errors
Link to decision summarizedErrata - Corrigenda Section 48.1 of Rule 001: Rules of Practice provides that “[t]he Commission may, without notice, correct typographical, spelling and calculation errors...
Request for Regulatory Appeal by Harold Wynne, Point Loma Resources Ltd., (AER Request for Regulatory Appeal No. 1916880)
Link to decision summarizedEligible Person - Regulatory Appeal Denied In this decision, the AER considered Mr. Harold Wynne’s request under section 38 of the Responsible Energy Development Act...
AER Bulletin 2019-07: Recommendations around Hydraulic Fracturing in the Red Deer Area
Link to decision summarizedEarthquake - Hydraulic Fracturing In this bulletin, the AER reported that on March 4, 2019, an earthquake measuring 4.1 local magnitude was detected approximately 12...
AER Bulletin 2019-06: Amended Requirements in Directive 036 for the Certification and Storage of Blowout Preventers
Link to decision summarizedDrilling Blowout Prevention In this bulletin, the AER announced the release of a new edition of Directive 036: Drilling Blowout Prevention Requirements and...
AUC Bulletin 2019-03: Generic Proceeding to Review Rate Treatment of Distribution System Acquisition Costs Under Performance-Based Regulation
Link to decision summarizedPerformance-Based Regulation In this bulletin, the AUC announced an AUC initiated a generic proceeding (Proceeding 24405), to consider and clarify the rate treatment of...
AER Bulletin 2019-05: AER Version of the Record of Site Condition Form
Link to decision summarizedSite Condition Form - Remediation - Contamination In this bulletin, the AER announced that it released a version of the Record of Site Condition form for submission of...
The City of Red Deer 2018-2020 Transmission Facility Owner General Tariff Application (AUC Decision 23872-D01-2019)
Link to decision summarizedRevenue Requirement In this decision, the AUC denied the City of Red Deer (“Red Deer”) 's requested revenue requirement for the years 2018-2020 with respect to property...
ENMAX Power Corporation 2017 Capital Tracker True-Up Application (AUC Decision 23694-D01-2019)
Link to decision summarizedPerformance-Based Regulation - K Factor In this decision, the AUC considered a request by ENMAX Power Corporation (distribution) (“ENMAX”) for approval of a negotiated...
Commission-Initiated Proceeding METSCO’s Risk-Based Asset Management Framework for ENMAX and EPCOR (AUC Decision 23102-D01-2019)
Link to decision summarizedCapital Tracker Treatment In this decision, the AUC provided its assessment of METSCO Energy Solutions Inc. (“METSCO”)’s risk-based asset management framework and...
AER Bulletin 2019-04: Update to Survey Plan Requirements When Applying for a Reclamation Certificate
Link to decision summarizedUpdate - Reclamation Certificates In this bulletin, the AER announced that it updated the Specified Enactment Direction 002: Application Submission Requirements and...
Fort Hills Energy Corporation Application for Fort Hills Tailings Management Plan (AER Decision 20190225A)
Link to decision summarizedTailings Management Plan - Ready-to-Reclaim Criteria In this decision, the AER considered Fort Hills Energy Corporation (“Fort Hills”)’ application 1881219, pursuant to...
NEB Reconsideration of Aspects of its OH-001-2014 Report – Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC Application for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (MH-052-2018 Report)
Link to decision summarizedTrans Mountain Expansion Project In this Reconsideration Report (the “Reconsideration”), the NEB undertook the reconsideration directed by the Governor in Council (“GIC”)...
EPCOR Water Services Inc. E.L. Smith Solar Power Plant (AUC Decision 23418-D01-2019)
Link to decision summarizedSolar - Excess Electricity In this decision, the AUC approved EPCOR Water Services Inc. (“EPCOR Water”)’s application to construct and operate a power plant designated as...
Remington v. Enmax, 2019 ABCA 69
Link to decision summarizedSurface Rights Act - Electricity - Appeal - Granted (in part) In this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”):(a) granted an appeal by Enmax Power Corporation...
AER Bulletin 2019-03: Applications for Partial Upgraders
Link to decision summarizedMining - In Situ Operations In this bulletin, the AER announced that it clarified the application processes for partial upgraders related to mining and in situ operations...
AER Bulletin 2019-02: Update to Disposition Renewal Applications
Link to decision summarizedPublic Lands Act - Forms In this bulletin, the AER announced that effective immediately, disposition renewal applications no longer require a statutory declaration or...
Orphan Well Association v Grant Thornton Ltd., 2019 SCC 5
Link to decision summarizedDoctrine of Paramountcy - Bankruptcy - End-of-Life Obligations In this decision, the Supreme Court of Canada ("SCC") considered an appeal from the Alberta Court of Appeal...
AUC Bulletin 2019-01: Revision to AUC Rule 020: Rules Respecting Gas Utility Pipelines
Link to bulletin summarizedPipeline Applications - Proposed Amendments The AUC is seeking written feedback, comments, and suggestions regarding proposed changes to gas utility pipeline applications...
Borgel v Paintearth (Subdivision and Development Appeal Board), 2019 ABCA 25
Link to decision summarizedPermission to Appeal - Granted In this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal ("ABCA") considered an application by landowners on the County of Paintearth (the "County")...
AER Bulletin 2019-01: Directive 060 Annual Methane Emission Reporting in OneStop
Link to bulletin summarizedMethane Emission Reports This bulletin announced that, effective January 31, 2019, companies may submit annual reports of methane emissions (including vent gas and...
AltaLink Management Ltd. 2014 and 2015 Deferral Accounts Reconciliation Application (AUC Decision 22542-D02-2019)
Link to decision summarizedDeferral Accounts In this decision, the AUC considered AltaLink Management Ltd. (“AltaLink”)’s 2014 and 2015 Deferral Accounts application requesting final cost approval...
Fort McKay Métis Community Association v Alberta Energy Regulator, 2019 ABCA 15
Link to decision summarizedPermission to Appeal - Denied In this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal ("ABCA") considered an application by the Fort McKay Métis Community Association ("Fort McKay...
Fort McKay First Nation v Prosper Petroleum Ltd., 2019 ABCA 14
Link to decision summarizedPermission to Appeal - Granted In this decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal ("ABCA") considered Fort McKay First Nation (the "First Nation")’s application for permission...