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.
AltaLink Management Ltd. 2024-2025 General Tariff Application Negotiated Settlement Agreement, AUC Decision 28174-D01-2024
Link to Decision Summarized Power - Rates Application AltaLink Management Ltd. (“AML”) applied for approval of a negotiated settlement agreement (“NSA”) with respect to its 2024 - 2025 general tariff application (“GTA”). Decision The AUC approved the NSA, as filed,...
Directive 026 Rescinded, AER Bulletin 2024-02
Link to Decision Summarized Oil – Facilities To eliminate duplicative or obsolete requirements, the AER rescinded Directive 026: Setback Requirements for Oil Effluent Pipelines (“Directive 026”), effective immediately. The AER also rescinded the Directive 026 related...
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...
AER Bulletin 2016-18: Application Submission Requirements and Guidance for Reclamation Certificates for Well Sites and Associated Facilities
Download ReportBulletin – Facilities – Reclamation – Applications The AER announced the release of Specified Enactment Direction 002: Application Submission Requirements and Guidance for Reclamation...
Oldman 2 Wind Farm Limited – Review of Decision 3521-D01-2015: Mr. Yanke and Mr. Huebner Noise Complaints, July 20, 2015 (AUC Decision 20843-D01-2015)
Download ReportReview and Variance – Noise Complaint Oldman 2 Wind Farm Limited (“Oldman 2”) filed an application for a review of Decision 3521-D01-2015, which dealt with noise complaints from Mr....
ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (South) Pembina Expansion Project (AUC Decision 21299-D01-2016)
Download ReportFacilities – Pipeline ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (South) (“ATCO”) applied to the AUC to construct the Pembina Expansion Project, consisting of: the installation 10.8 kilometres of...
Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited Mackenzie Gas Project – Request for an Extension of the Sunset Clauses (NEB Decision, A77339-1)
Download ReportTime Extension – Pipeline – Facilities Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited (“IORVL”) requested an extension to condition 74, being the sunset clause, in the approvals for the...
O’Chiese First Nation v Alberta Energy Regulator, et al., 2016 CanLII 32302
Download ReportLeave to Appeal The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the application of the O’Chiese First Nation for leave to appeal the judgment of the Alberta Court of Appeal in O’Chiese First...
Bearspaw Petroleum Ltd. – Proceeding 336 Application 1820596 – Pool Delineation, Crossfield Basal Quartz C & V Pools (AER Decision 2016 ABAER 007)
Download ReportPool Delineation – Application Bearspaw Petroleum Ltd. (“Bearspaw”) applied to the AER pursuant to section 33(1)(d) of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act (“OGCA”) requesting that the...
Bearspaw Petroleum Ltd. – Proceeding 336 Application 1820596 – Pool Delineation, Crossfield Basal Quartz C & V Pools (AER Decision 2016 ABAER 007)
Download ReportPool Delineation – Application Bearspaw Petroleum Ltd. (“Bearspaw”) applied to the AER pursuant to section 33(1)(d) of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act (“OGCA”) requesting that the...
Canadian Natural Resources Limited Regulatory Appeal of a Reclamation Certificate Refusal Boundary Lake South Field Proceeding No. 1837447 (AER Decision 2016 ABAER 006)
Download ReportRegulatory Appeal – Reclamation – Facilities On May 2, 2014, Canadian Natural Resources Limited (“CNRL”) applied for a reclamation certificate for a well site and access road in...
National Energy Board Establishes Joint Committee on Pipeline Safety with Industry Association
Download ReportSafety – Pipelines The NEB announced it had struck a Joint Committee on Issues of Mutual Interest for Federally Regulated Pipelines (the “Joint Committee”) with the Canadian Energy...
AltaGas Utilities Inc. Compliance Filing to Decision 20522-D02-2016 (2014 Capital Tracker True-Up and 2016-2017 Capital Tracker Forecast) (AUC Decision 21380-D01-2016)
Download ReportCapital Tracker – Rates – True-Up AltaGas Utilities Inc. (“AltaGas”) filed its compliance filing with the AUC pursuant to directions issued in Decision 20522-D02-2016.Direction 1 and...
E.ON Climate & Renewables Canada Ltd. Grizzly Bear Creek Wind Power Project (Decision 3329-D01-2016)
Download ReportFacilities – Wind Farm E.ON Climate & Renewables Ltd. (“EON”) applied to the AUC for the construction and operation of the Grizzly Bear Creek Wind Power Project (the “Project”)....
E.ON Climate & Renewables Canada Ltd. Grizzly Bear Creek Wind Power Project (Decision 3329-D01-2016)
Download ReportFacilities – Wind Farm E.ON Climate & Renewables Ltd. (“EON”) applied to the AUC for the construction and operation of the Grizzly Bear Creek Wind Power Project (the “Project”)....
Bulletin 2016-16: Licensee Eligibility – Alberta Energy Regulator Measures to Limit Environmental Impacts Pending Regulatory Changes to Address the Redwater Decision
Download ReportBulletin – Licensee Liability – Abandonment – Bankruptcy The AER made this announcement in response to the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench decision in Redwater Energy Corporation (Re),...
Bulletin 2016-15: 2016 AER Administration Fees (Industry Levy)
Download ReportLevy – Industry Fees – Bulletin The AER announced its industry levy in the amount of $238,403,000 for 2016-2017. The industry levy represents the revenue required to support AER...
National Energy Board Report – Trans Mountain Expansion Project (Hearing Order OH-001-2014)
Download ReportFacilities – Pipeline The NEB released its recommendation to the Governor in Council (“GIC”) for the recommendation to approve the Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC (“Trans Mountain”)...
Direct Energy Regulated Services v Alberta Utilities Commission, 2016 ABCA 156
Download ReportRegulated Rate Option – Leave to Appeal Direct Energy Regulated Services (“DERS”) applied for leave to appeal Decision 2941-D01-2015 of the AUC pursuant to section 29(1) of the...
Bulletin 2016-14: Release of New Subsoil Salinity Tool Assessment Checklist
Download ReportSubsoil Salinity Tool – Bulletin The AER announced that it had implemented a new process for accepting Subsoil Salinity Tool (“SST”) assessments for review, including the development...
EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. Disposition of Substation Property (Decision 21405-D01-2016)
Download ReportFacilities – Rate Base – Disposition EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. (“EDTI”) applied for approval to dispose of Substation No. 450, located at 11803 – 114 Avenue Northwest...
EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. Disposition of Substation Property (Decision 21405-D01-2016)
Download ReportFacilities – Rate Base – Disposition EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. (“EDTI”) applied for approval to dispose of Substation No. 450, located at 11803 – 114 Avenue Northwest...
Bulletin 2016-13: Fort McMurray Wildfires – Resuming Operations
Download ReportEmergency Protocol – Bulletin The AER announced that it was advising operators planning to resume operations in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo after unplanned shutdowns,...
AltaLink Management Ltd. 2015-2016 General Tariff Application (Decision 3524-D01-2016)
Download ReportTariff – Rates AltaLink Management Ltd. (“AltaLink”) applied for approval of its 2015-2016 General Tariff Application (“GTA”), including the following: Revenue requirements for the...
Notice: Hearing Cancellation and Suspension of Process for the Proposed Fort McMurray West 500-kilovolt Transmission Project
Download ReportNotice – Cancellation - Suspension The AUC announced that, due to the catastrophic wildfires in Fort McMurray, the hearing for Proceeding 21030 for the Fort McMurray West 500-kilovolt...
AER Bulletin 2016-12: Fort McMurray Wildfire – Emergency Protocol for Oil Sands Operators
Download ReportEmergency Protocol – Bulletin The AER requested that operators contact the AER if they require information from the provincial operations centre (“POC”) regarding wildfires near Fort...
NEB Releases Confidential Disclosure (Whistleblower) Process
Download ReportDisclosure – Compliance - Whistleblower The NEB announced the creation of the Confidential Disclosure (Whistleblower) Procedure (“Whistleblower Procedure”) on its website. The NEB...