Energy issues continue to play a central role in Canadian public discourse, shaped by the fluid interaction of evolving public expectations, technological developments, changing markets, public policy and politics. The articles in this issue of Energy Regulation Quarterly address particular […]
This article summarizes the key components of Ontario’s past and present activities in energy conservation. It then uses this background to identify some of the likely key elements and drivers of future activities. Before going further, it is useful to […]
In December 2013, Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Government adopted a policy of Conservation First with respect to electricity and natural gas.1 Conservation First means investing in all cost-effective and achievable energy efficiency resources before investing in new supply. This new policy […]
Introduction The emergence of shale production as an important component of natural gas supply in the United States has markedly altered the operating environment of the North American gas industry over the last decade or so. Prior to that, the […]
As of December 2013 there were 73 local electricity distribution companies [“LDCs”] under the regulation of the Ontario Energy Board [“OEB”]. The size of these distribution companies varies widely, from Hydro 2000, with only 1,220 customers and 21km of network […]
Introduction Utilities sometimes find themselves interacting with individuals who contend that they are not subject to generally applicable laws and obligations, such as the need to pay income taxes or utility bills. These individuals often attempt unilaterally to impose legal […]
The construction of new pipelines, and the expansion, reversal or re-purposing of existing pipelines have always attracted controversy in Canada and the almost inevitable applications for judicial review or appeal. Consider, for example, the efforts to license the Makenzie Natural […]