The Canadian Institute of Resources Law invites you to attend a free public lecture on CIRL Occasional Paper #68:
“Adopting a Single Provincial Regulator for Electricity Generation Projects in Alberta”
Since 2013, oil and gas development projects in Alberta have been regulated primarily by the Alberta Energy Regulator. Electricity transmission and gas distribution utilities are regulated primarily by the Alberta Utilities Commission. However, power generation projects live in regulatory purgatory - simultaneously regulated by inter alia, the Alberta Utilities Commission, Alberta Environment and Parks, and the Alberta Electric System Operator. There are a multiplicity of regulatory authorities that must align their processes to ensure compliance with the principles of natural justice, apply a public interest test (or not), and conduct substantive factal review for a power generation project to be allowed to operate. This approach is duplicative and challenges the tenets of due process. The CIRL working paper recommends that as in the case of the oil and gas industry, power generation facilities should be regulated by a single agency modeled after the Alberta Energy Regulator that recognizes the unique aspects of the deregulated power generation market, a power generation facility's non-linear environmental footprint, and the power generation facility's interface with the regulated electricity transmission assets in Alberta. A single regulator would clarify the project approval process and ensure compliance with the principles of natural justice in a fair and transparent process.
Presenter
Indra Maharaj is a practising lawyer with over 25 years of broad-based legal, regulatory, management and leadership experience, particularly in the environment and energy sectors. Indra is committed to ongoing education, having completed a B.Sc. (Chemistry), LL.B., and LL.M. at the University of Manitoba, and currently pursuing her research interests in alternative energy, environment, and the regulatory process with a second Masters’ degree in law, at the University of Calgary.
Indra has developed a strong appreciation of the practical application of the principles of natural justice, due process, and impartiality in the decision-making process of various regulatory authorities through her various positions at TransCanada PipeLines, AltaLink, the Alberta Utilities Commission, and, recently, as the Chair of the Criminal Injuries Review Board.
Indra has played a lead role in many high profile energy projects, including a liquefied natural gas regasification plant, the Mackenzie Gas Project, natural gas pipeline projects and large electricity infrastructure project development and permitting. Indra has been recognized for her success in assisting companies to develop projects and policies that are efficient, economic and socially responsible. She also has extensive experience in the areas of regulatory compliance, environmental and aboriginal issues, and stakeholder relations.
The Alberta Law Foundation sponsors this event.