Insights & Articles

The Alberta Energy Regulator is set to implement enhancements to the OneStop application tool for Water Act applications, focusing on water licensing and reporting. These updates are slated to be in effect from February 22, 2024. Operators are strongly encouraged by the AER to submit WURS monthly and annual reports before January 31, 2024, to mitigate potential reporting issues during the system’s introduction.

The Supreme Court of Canada released its judgment in consideration of the constitutionality of the federal environmental assessment scheme under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), enacted by Parliament in 2019. It is expected that this ruling will fundamentally alter the scope of federal assessment and decision-making over the vast majority of major projects that are located wholly within a province, such as critical minerals mines, upstream oil production (including oil sands), and pipelines.

Canada pledged to surpass its methane emission reduction target in the oil and gas sector, aiming for a reduction of at least 75% from 2012 levels by 2030. However, this commitment raised concerns from the Alberta Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, who questioned the constitutionality of such a policy that could significantly impact the oil and gas industry without sufficient consultation.

The Federal government released the Draft Clean Electricity Regulations to support developing a clean electricity grid with the goal of achieving economy-wide, net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The draft regulation is designed to push Canada’s electricity system to use cleaner sources faster and at a greater volume than would be expected without the regulation.

The province of British Columbia released a statement announcing that two-thirds of provincial river basins are in drought level 4 or 5, urging water conservation practices across the province. BC Energy Regulator has taken measures to expand water suspensions to multiple watersheds, and more protection orders to water licensees may be imminent if drought conditions worsen.

The British Columbia Energy Regulator has suspended Water diversions from northern BC watersheds just 24 days after initially lifting restrictions. Find out more in May’s Regulatory Bulletin coverage.

The British Columbia Energy Regulator has suspended Water diversions from northern BC watersheds just 24 days after initially lifting restrictions. Find out more in May’s Regulatory Bulletin coverage.

Alberta’s second annual progress report on methane reductions has revealed a 44% reduction in methane emissions between 2014 and 2021 – placing it firmly on track to surpass a 2025 emissions reduction target ahead of schedule.