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.
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...
Updates to AUC Application Review Process Following Generation Approvals Pause, AUC Bulletin 2024-03
Link to Decision Summarized Rules – Applications Updates to AUC Application Review Process Following Generation Approvals Pause On February 29, 2024, the Generation Approvals Pause Regulation expired. This regulation prohibited the AUC from issuing approvals for new...
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...
AUC Bulletin 2018-15: Stakeholder Consultation for Specified Penalties, on AUC Rule 021: Settlement System Code Rules and Rule 028: Natural Gas Settlement System Code Rules
Download ReportProposed Changes - Written Comments - Rule 021 - Rule 028 In this Bulletin, the AUC invited written comments from interested persons on proposed changes to Rule 021: Settlement System...
Commission-Initiated Review and Variance of Decision 22741-D01-2018 (AUC Decision 23505-D01-2018)
Download ReportCapital Tracker True-Up - PBR Regulation - AESO Contributions Program In this decision, the AUC decided to rescind its direction in paragraph 138 of Decision 22741-D01-2018 (the...
ENMAX Power Corporation 2017 Annual Transmission Access Charge Deferral Account True-Up (AUC Decision 23817-D01-2018)
Download ReportTransmission Access Charge Deferral Account Rider In this decision, the AUC considered ENMAX Power Corporation (“ENMAX”)’s application for a net 2017 transmission access charge...
FortisAlberta Inc. 2017 Annual Transmission Access Charge Deferral Account True-Up (AUC Decision 23834-D01-2018)
Download ReportDeferral Account Reconciliation - System Access Service In this decision, the AUC approved FortisAlberta Inc. (“Fortis”)’s 2017 annual transmission access charge deferral account...
Alberta Electric System Operator Rejection of Reliability Standard MOD-026-1 (AUC Decision 23917-D01-2018)
Download ReportReliability Standard - Rejected In this decision, the AUC rejected the adoption of reliability standard MOD-026-1 in Alberta, pursuant to section 19(6) of the Transmission...
Express Pipeline Ltd. Application Pursuant to Section 117(1)(a) of the Electric Utilities Act for an Exemption (AUC Decision 23394-D01-2018)
Download ReportElectric Utility In this decision, the AUC considered Express Pipeline Ltd. (“Express”)’s application to exempt a transmission line that it proposed to construct and operate (the...
AER Decision Dismissing Request for Regulatory Appeal by O’Chiese First Nation of Well Licences Issued to Shell Canada Limited (Regulatory Appeal No. 1831586)
Download ReportRegulatory Appeal - Denied In this decision, the AER considered O’Chiese First Nation (“OCFN”)’s request under section 38 of the Responsible Energy Development Act (“REDA”) for a...
AUC Bulletin 2018-14: Practice Advisory and Procedural Change for Oral Argument in Facility Proceedings
Oral Argument - Notice In this bulletin, the AUC acknowledged that the requirement for oral argument is not always communicated by the AUC in advance of the start of a hearing, which stakeholders...
AER Bulletin 2018-30: New Edition of Directive 013: Suspension Requirements for Wells
Download ReportDirective 013 - Optional Annual Inspections In this bulletin, the AER announced the release of a new edition of Directive 013: Suspension Requirements for Wells. The Directive was...
AER Bulletin 2018-29: New Edition of Directive 020: Well Abandonment
Download ReportDirective 020 - Well Abandonment In this bulletin, the AER announced the release of the new edition of Directive 020: Well Abandonment.The new edition gives licensees more options...
AER Bulletin 2018-28: New Edition of Directive 056: Energy Development Applications and Schedules and New Manual
Download ReportDirective 056 - Energy Development In this bulletin, the AER announced the release of a new edition of Directive 056: Energy Development Applications and Schedules and a new manual,...
AER Bulletin 2018-27: New Edition of Directive 054: Performance Presentations, Auditing, and Surveillance of In Situ Oil Sands Schemes
Download ReportDirective 054 - In Situ In this bulletin, the AER announced the release of a new edition of Directive 054: Performance Presentations, Auditing, and Surveillance of In Situ Oil Sands...
The Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate – Application for Review of Decision 22357-D01-2018 (AUC Decision 23559-D01-2018)
Download ReportReview Application - Denied In this decision, the AUC considered an application by the Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate (“UCA”) requesting a review of Decision 22357-D01-2018...
EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. 2018-2019 Transmission Facility Owner Tariff Application (AUC Decision 23165-D01-2018)
Download ReportRevenue Requirement - Transmission Facility Owner - Tariff Application In this decision, the AUC considered an application by EPCOR Distribution and Transmission Inc. (“EPCOR”)...
EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. 2018-2019 Transmission Facility Owner Tariff Application (AUC Decision 23165-D01-2018)
Download ReportRevenue Requirement - Transmission Facility Owner - Tariff Application In this decision, the AUC considered an application by EPCOR Distribution and Transmission Inc. (“EPCOR”)...
Mikisew Cree First Nation v. Canada (Governor General in Council), 2018 SCC 40
Download ReportConstitutional Law — Aboriginal Treaty Rights - Crown Duty to Consult In this decision, the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) considered an appeal by the Mikisew Cree First Nation from...
Rebasing for the 2018-2022 Performance-Based Regulation Plans for Alberta Electric and Gas Distribution Utilities Second Compliance Proceeding (AUC Decision 23355-D02-2018)
Download DecisionRebasing Applications - Distribution Utilities In this decision, the AUC considered the second compliance filing for the interim notional 2017 revenue requirement and 2018 base...
EPCOR Energy Alberta GP Inc. 2018-2020 Non-Energy Regulated Rate Tariff Application (AUC Decision 22853-D01-2018)
Download ReportRegulated Rate Tariff - Non-Energy In this decision, the AUC considered EPCOR Energy Alberta GP Inc.’s (“EPCOR”) 2018-2020 non-energy regulated rate tariff (“RRT”) for service in the...
Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate – Commission-initiated Review and Variance of Decision 20552-D01-2015 and Decision 20733-D01-2015 (AUC Decision 21768-D01-2017)
Download ReportReview and Variance Original DecisionsIn Decision 20552-D01-2015 and Decision 20733-D01-2015 (collectively, the “Original Decisions”) the AUC approved FortisAlberta Inc.’s (“Fortis”)...
Applications for Review of Decision 22986-D01-2018, Compliance Application to Decision 22011-D01-2017, ATCO Pipelines 2017-2018 General Rate Application (AUC Decision 23539-D01-2018)
Download ReportReview Application - Granted in part - Rule 016 In this decision, the AUC considered applications by ATCO Pipelines, a division of ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (“ATCO Pipelines”) and...
Macdonald Communities Limited v Alberta (Utilities Commission) (2018 ABCA 317)
Download ReportPermission to Appeal - Wastewater Utilities - Public Utilities Act This Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”) decision considered Macdonald Communities Limited’s (“MCL”) application for...
Application for Review of an AUC Decision Dated May 3, 2018, Dismissing an Appeal Pursuant to Section 43 of the Municipal Government Act (Decision 23579-D01-2018)
Download ReportReview Application - Rate Structure - Municipal Public Utilities - Application Dismissed In this decision, the AUC considered Ian Murdoch’s application for a review of the AUC’s...
AER Bulletin 2018-26: Reminder of Increased Risk During Migratory Bird Season
Download ReportMigratory Bird Season - Protection Plans In this bulletin, the AER reminded licensees that it was migratory bird season in Alberta. During this period, the weather may cause birds to...
Direct Energy Regulated Services 2017-2018 Default Rate Tariff and Regulated Rate Tariff Compliance Filing to Decision 22004-D01-2018 (AUC Decision 23748-D01-2018)
Download ReportRates - Default Gas Tariff - Regulated Electricity Rate Tariff In this decision, the AUC considered Direct Energy Regulated Services’ (“DERS”) compliance filing application, pursuant...