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.
Directive 026 Rescinded, AER Bulletin 2024-02
Link to Decision Summarized Oil – Facilities To eliminate duplicative or obsolete requirements, the AER rescinded Directive 026: Setback Requirements for Oil Effluent Pipelines (“Directive 026”), effective immediately. The AER also rescinded the Directive 026 related...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...
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...
NEB Releases Preliminary Timeline for Energy East
Download ReportFacilities – Pipeline – Process The NEB announced the release of a preliminary schedule and timeline to hear the application of Energy East Pipeline Ltd. (“Energy East”) for a 4,500...
ATCO Pipelines 2016 Interim Revenue Requirement (Decision 21328-D01-2016)
Download ReportInterim Rates – Revenue Requirement ATCO Pipelines, a division of ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (“ATCO”) applied for approval of a monthly fixed fee of $19,021,720 on an interim basis,...
Decision on Review Application of the Métis Nation of Alberta of the Standing Ruling for the Fort McMurray West 500-kV Transmission Project (Decision 21030-D01-2016)
Download ReportReview Application – Facilities – Standing The Métis Nation of Alberta (“Métis”) filed an application pursuant to Rule 016: Review of Commission Decisions (“Rule 16”) with the AUC...
ENMAX Energy Corporation 2015-2016 Regulated Rate Option Non-Energy Tariff Application (AUC Decision 20480-D01-2016)
Download ReportRates – Regulated Rate Option ENMAX Energy Corporation (“ENMAX”) applied for approval of its 2015 to 2016 regulated rate option (“RRO”) non-energy tariff pursuant to section 103 of...
Pembina Pipeline Corporation Applications for Two Pipelines Fox Creek to Namao Pipeline Expansion Project (2016 ABAER 004)
Download ReportFacilities – Pipeline Expansion Pembina Pipeline Corporation (“Pembina”) applied to the AER pursuant to the Pipeline Act to construct and operate the following: A 609.6 millimetre (24...
EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. 2015-2017 Transmission Facility Owner Tariff and 2013 Generic Cost of Capital Compliance Application (AUC Decision 21229-D01-2016)
Compliance Filing – Tariff – Rates – Generic Cost of CapitalEPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. (“EDTI”) filed an application in compliance with directions made by the AUC in Decision...
EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. 2015-2017 Transmission Facility Owner Tariff and 2013 Generic Cost of Capital Compliance Application (AUC Decision 21229-D01-2016)
Compliance Filing – Tariff – Rates – Generic Cost of CapitalEPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. (“EDTI”) filed an application in compliance with directions made by the AUC in Decision...
AER Bulletin 2016-11: Conditions in Alberta Energy Regulator Approvals Relating to Participation in the Cumulative Environmental Management Association
Download ReportBulletin – Terms and Conditions – Approvals The AER announced changes relating to the operation of to the Cumulative Environmental Management Association (“CEMA”) as it relates to the...
ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. 2014 PBR Capital Tracker True-Up and 2016-2017 PBR Capital Tracker Forecast (AUC Decision 20604-D01-2016)
Download ReportRates – True-Up – Capital Tracker ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (“ATCO”) applied for approval of its 2014 capital tracker true-up and 2016-2017 capital tracker forecast under...
AER Bulletin 2016-10: Obligations of Licensees When in Insolvency or When Otherwise Ceasing Operations
Download ReportBulletin – Insolvency – Licensee Obligations The AER released Bulletin 2016-10 to remind its licensees of statutory responsibilities when ceasing operations, whether due to insolvency...
AER Bulletin 2016-09: Alignment of Reclamation Application Process with Responsible Energy Development Act Statement of Concern Requirements
Download ReportReclamation Applications – Bulletin – Statement of Concern The AER announced that, effective immediately, it implemented changes to Section 8.0 (landowner contact requirements) of the...
NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. 2016 and 2017 Revenue Requirement Settlement Application (Letter and Order TG-001-2016)
Download ReportRevenue Requirement – Settlement – Rates NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (“NGTL”) applied to the NEB requesting an order approving a settlement establishing NGTL’s revenue requirement for...
ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (South) Inland Loop Transmission Pipeline (AUC Decision 21258-D01-2016)
Download ReportFacilities – Pipeline ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. (South) (“ATCO”) applied for an amendment to its pipeline licence 16723 pursuant to section 11 of the Pipeline Act and section 4.1 of...
AUC Bulletin 2016-11: Rule 030: Compliance with the Code of Conduct Regulation
Download ReportBulletin – Code of Conduct The AUC noted that the Code of Conduct Regulation came into effect on January 1, 2016, and as a result the AUC undertook a consultation with industry to...
Alberta Electric System Operator 2016 ISO Tariff Update (AUC Decision 21302-D01-2016)
Download ReportTariff – Rates The Alberta Electric System Operator (“AESO”) filed an application with the AUC to update its tariff (“ISO Tariff”) for 2016. The AESO submitted its application was to...
AER Bulletin 2016-07: Updates to Directive 017: Measurement Requirements for Oil and Gas Operations
Bulletin – Directive 017The AER announced that it had released a revised edition of Directive 017: Measurement Requirements for Oil and Gas Operations (“Directive 17”), replacing the current edition...
AUC Bulletin 2016-10: Practices regarding enforcement proceedings and amendments to AUC Rule 001: Rules of Practice
Download ReportBulletin – Rules of Practice – Enforcement The AUC announced several proposed changes to AUC Rule 001: Rules of Practice (“Rule 1”), and a further outline related to enforcement...
AUC Bulletin 2016-09: Amendment of AUC Rule 016 Review of Commission Decisions
Download ReportBulletin – Rule 016 – Review and Variance The AUC announced that, effective March 24, 2016, it had amended certain provisions of AUC Rule 016: Review of Commission Decisions (“Rule...
AUC Bulletin 2016-08: Amendments to Rule 009: Rules on Local Intervener Costs and Rule 022: Rules on Costs in Utility Rate Proceedings
Download ReportBulletin – Costs – Rule 009 – Rule 022 The AUC announced that it had completed a review of procedural requirements for Rule 009: Rules on Local Intervener Costs (“Rule 9”) and Rule...
AUC Bulletin 2016-07: Practice Advisory and Procedural Change – Expert Witness Qualification No Longer Required
Download ReportBulletin – Expert Witnesses – Qualification – Practice Advisory The AUC released a bulletin advising of a procedural change concerning expert witnesses.The AUC noted that section 20...
AUC Bulletin 2016-06: Notice of Consultation Process for Standardization of Confidential Undertaking
Download ReportBulletin – Confidentiality – Consultation The AUC announced that it would make amendments to Section 13 of AUC Rule 001: Rules of Practice (“Rule 1”) to simplify and improve the...
Proceeding 790 – AUC ruling on AESO Implementation Plan and Response to Clarification Requests
Download ReportLine Loss Rule – Procedural Ruling The AUC released a procedural decision in proceeding 790, which relates to a complaint filed on December 31, 2005 by Milner Power Inc. (“Milner”)...
AER Bulletin 2016-05: First 2016/17 Orphan Fund Levy
Download ReportOrphan Fund Levy The AER announced that, in accordance with Part 11 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act, the AER will prescribe an orphan fund levy in the amount of $15 million.The...
Livingstone Landowners Guild Decision on Preliminary Question Application for Review of Decision 2009-126 (AUC Decision 20846-D01-2016)
Download ReportReview Application – Needs Identification Document The Livingstone Landowners Guild (“LLG”), a group of landowners located in southern Alberta in the Oldman River watershed, east of...