Overview
Canada has made new commitments to reduce GHG emissions by 2030 and 2050. Significant public sector funding has been offered to assist in achieving Canada’s goals. New forms of regulatory intervention will be required to integrate new technologies into regulated utility systems — both for natural gas and electricity.
In 2020, energy regulators in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and British Columbia for the first time grappled with this problem. On June 25, 2021, the Canadian Gas Association hosted a webinar centered on the role of regulators and legislators who in the pursuit of a lower emission future examined the opportunities and challenges these new cases create and the changes in practice and procedure that may be necessary in the future.
MODERATOR
Gordon Kaiser
First Canadian Chambers, Toronto
Gordon Kaiser is Counsel in energy and competition law practising in Toronto and Calgary.
He is a former vice chair of the Ontario Energy Board and a former Market Surveillance Administrator in Alberta. Prior to that he was a partner in a national law firm where he appeared in the courts of five provinces , the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Gordon has advised the Alberta Utility Commission and the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on settlements under the Electricity Act and the Attorney General of Canada on settlements under the Competition Act. He has acted in disputes dealing with transmission and pipeline facilities, power purchase agreements, gas supply contracts, and wind and solar contracts. He is the editor of Energy Law and Policy and The Guide to Energy Arbitration. For one year Gordon was Visiting Professor in Law and Economics at the University of Toronto Faculty of law. He is currently Co-Chair of the Canadian Energy Law Forum, Editor of the Energy Regulation Quarterly and President of the Canadian Chapter of The Energy Bar Association.
THE PANEL
Peter Gurnham
Former Chair
Nova Scotia Utilities and Review Board
Peter was appointed as a Member of the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board on June 5, 2003 and then as Chair on October 23, 2004, retiring on March 1, 2022.
Peter holds bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Law from Dalhousie University in Halifax and was appointed as a Queen’s Counsel in 1998. Prior to his appointment to the Board, he practiced law for 27 years with a regional Atlantic Canada law firm (Cox & Palmer), where he specialized in administrative and regulatory law, and was managing partner for nine years. He also had an active municipal and planning law practice. He is a Past Chair of CAMPUT: Canada’s Energy and Utility Regulators. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars and is former Co-Chair of the annual Energy Regulation Course sponsored by CAMPUT at Queens University.
Peter has been active in many community and charitable groups and is a recipient of several awards in recognition of service to community.
Joseph T. Kelliher
Former Chair
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Joe Kelliher is the former executive vice president for federal regulatory affairs for NextEra Energy Inc. As executive vice president, Kelliher was responsible for managing regulatory issues for NextEra’s two principal subsidiaries, NextEra Energy Resources and Florida Power & Light Co. before federal agencies.
From 2005 to 2009, he served as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), where he managed 1,400 employees and a $260 million annual budget. Among the highlights of his chairmanship was the efficient implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the largest expansion in FERC regulatory authority since the 1930s.
Kelliher has worked on energy policy matters in different capacities for the federal government and private sector. He holds a B.S. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a J.D. from The American University Washington College of Law.
David Morton
Chair and CEO
British Columbia Utilities Commission
David was appointed Chair and CEO of the BCUC in December 2015. David’s responsibility is to deliver on the Vision of the BCUC — to be a trusted and respected regulator that contributes to the well‐being and long‐term interests of British Columbians. In addition, to being the Chair and CEO, he is also a Commissioner — a role he has had since 2010. He considers this to be a key part of his leadership role. As a result, he continues to participate, usually as the Panel Chair, in a number of key proceedings. A significant proceeding that he recently led is the Site C Inquiry — the largest proceeding ever undertaken by the BCUC.
David also has over 25 years of experience as a consultant in the information technology sector. He is a Professional Engineer in British Columbia, has a Licentiate in Accounting from the Society of Management Accountants Canada, is certified with the ICD.D designation in 2013 by the Institute of Corporate Directors and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Toronto. David also serves as director for the Arts Club Theatre Company, and as President of the West Vancouver Community Arts Council.
A recording of the webinar can be accessed here: https://lawlectures.com/3-erq-the-video/