Regulatory

Modernizing Alberta’s Electricity Legislation

Courtesy of Osler. View original article here. On November 24, 2021, Bill 86, the Electricity Statutes Amendment Act, 2021 (Bill 86) passed its second reading in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Notable changes include amendments intended to facilitate greater participation by energy storage resources in the Alberta electricity market, allowing for unlimited self-supply and export, and facilitating… [Read More…] about Modernizing Alberta’s Electricity Legislation

Pressure Builds for Canadian Companies to Lower Carbon Emissions

Courtesy of Blakes. View original article here. As the spotlight on climate change intensifies, Canadian companies are facing additional scrutiny from regulators, investors and other stakeholders to meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. Some companies are taking a leading role in lowering carbon emissions and are at the forefront of the energy transition. Others… [Read More…] about Pressure Builds for Canadian Companies to Lower Carbon Emissions

Alberta Well Cleanup

Courtesy of Osler. View original article here. On June 8, 2021, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) released draft Directive XXX: Licensee Life-Cycle Management (the Draft Directive), Bulletin 2021-22: Invitation for Feedback on Proposed New Licensee Life-Cycle Management Directive (the Directive Bulletin) and Bulletin 2021-23: Mandatory Closure Spend Targets (the Closure Spend Bulletin). These publications mark the latest steps toward full implementation… [Read More…] about Alberta Well Cleanup

B.C. Court of Appeal Provides Guidance on the Relevance of Climate Change Impacts in Administrative Decision Making

Courtesy of McCarthy. Original article here. In Highlands District Community Association v. British Columbia (Attorney General),[1] the British Columbia Court of Appeal considered whether a mines inspector’s decision to approve a proposed small-scale rock quarry under the Mines Act was unreasonable because he declined to consider climate change impacts. In upholding the inspector’s decision, the court concluded that, while… [Read More…] about B.C. Court of Appeal Provides Guidance on the Relevance of Climate Change Impacts in Administrative Decision Making

Alberta Utilities Commission Amends Rules of Practice to Promote Efficiency

Courtesy of Osler. View original article.  On May 3, 2021, the Alberta Utilities Commission (the AUC or Commission) approved [PDF] amendments to AUC Rule 001: Rules of Practice [PDF] (Rules of Practice), which will apply to proceedings registered on or after May 17, 2021. The amendments to the Rules of Practice are intended to give effect to a number of the recommendations… [Read More…] about Alberta Utilities Commission Amends Rules of Practice to Promote Efficiency

Alberta Energy Regulator’s New Directive 067

Courtesy of Osler. View original article here. In July 2020, the Alberta government issued its new Liability Management Framework (the Framework), aimed at reducing the province’s inventory of orphan and inactive well sites. In December 2020, the Alberta Energy Regulator (the AER) announced steps to implement the Framework through changes to the Oil and Gas Conservation… [Read More…] about Alberta Energy Regulator’s New Directive 067

Federal Government Announces Certain Tax Incentives for Clean Energy and Zero-Emission Technology

Courtesy of McCarthy Tetrault. View original article here. On April 19, 2021, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled in the House of Commons the Liberal Government’s first federal budget in more than two years, A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience (“Budget 2021”).  Budget 2021 proposes to: make changes to the eligibility criteria… [Read More…] about Federal Government Announces Certain Tax Incentives for Clean Energy and Zero-Emission Technology

Alberta Utilities Commission Provides Needed Clarity on Electric Facility Applications

Courtesy of Osler. View original article here. On March 5, 2021, the Alberta Utilities Commission (the AUC or the Commission) announced significant changes to Rule 007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations and Hydro Developments (Rule 007). The Commission has now issued the revised Rule 007, effective September 1, 2021, following an extensive Commission-led consultation… [Read More…] about Alberta Utilities Commission Provides Needed Clarity on Electric Facility Applications

Top 20 of 2020 – Transactions and Trends

Courtesy of BLG. View original article here. Part 4 Without question, the top story over the last year has been the COVID-19 pandemic and its tremendous ongoing effects felt across Canada and the world. This time has had a significant impact on Canada’s energy industry and many of the changes and developments that took place… [Read More…] about Top 20 of 2020 – Transactions and Trends

Top 20 of 2020 – Legislative Developments

Courtesy of BLG. View original article here. Part 3 Without question, the top story over the last year has been the COVID-19 pandemic and its tremendous ongoing effects felt across Canada and the world. This time has had a significant impact on Canada’s energy industry and many of the changes and developments that took place… [Read More…] about Top 20 of 2020 – Legislative Developments