Category: Energy Page 1 of 56

Matter Commented On: AUC Decision 30732-D01-2026, Synapse Real Estate Corp., Synapse Data Center Power Plant Project, August 17, 2026

PDF Version: What Can We Learn From A Failed Synapse Or Two?

On August 17, 2026, a panel of commissioners of the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) rejected, in trenchant terms, an application from Synapse Real Estate Corp (Synapse) to construct and operate a 1,400?megawatt (MW) combined-cycle natural gas-fired power plant together with massive amounts of backup diesel generation (1,800 MW) (together, the power facilities). The power facilities were to be located within the town of Olds and co-located with a large-scale data centre. The power plant was intended to provide electricity exclusively to the data centre and not be connected to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (the grid). While the generation and data centre were clearly intended to be functionally integrated, the AUC has no jurisdiction over data centres. The AUC’s jurisdiction is confined to new power facilities under the terms of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act, RSA 2000, c H-16 (HEEA), specifically ss 11 and 19, as supplemented by s 17 of the Alberta Utilities Commission Act, SA 2007, c A-37.2 (AUCA). Section 17 of the AUCA is crucial insofar as it confirmed that a principal criterion for approval is that the project be in the public interest.

The Orphan Well Association Annual Report 2025/2026: The Problem with the AER’s Long Run Plan for Orphan Oil and Gas Sites

By Drew Yewchuk

On July 30, 2026

In Energy, Oil & Gas

By: Drew Yewchuk

Matter Commented On: Orphan Well Association Annual Report 2025/2026

PDF Version: The Orphan Well Association Annual Report 2025/2026: The Problem with the AER’s Long Run Plan for Orphan Oil and Gas Sites

On July 15, 2026, the Orphan Well Association (OWA) released their annual report for 2025/2026. OWA annual reports provide insight into Alberta’s orphan oil and gas site problem and the pace at which the problem is being addressed (see the ABLawg posts on past OWA annual reports: 2022/2023; 2023/2024; 2024/2025). The OWA annual report is separate from the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER)’s annual liability management performance reports, which are concerned with the closure liability of oil and gas sites generally in Alberta, most of which still have operating licensees.

Joint Responsibility Under Alberta’s Mines and Minerals Act

By Nigel Bankes

On July 20, 2026

In Energy, Natural Resources, Oil & Gas

By: Nigel Bankes

Decisions commented on: Terra Energy Corp (Re), 2023 ABKB 236 (CanLII); Alberta (Energy and Minerals) v Spartan Delta Corp, 2026 ABCA 214 (CanLII); Alberta (Energy and Minerals) v Canadian Natural Resources Limited, 2026 ABCA 213 (CanLII)

PDF Version: Joint Responsibility Under Alberta’s Mines and Minerals Act

Alberta’s Mines and Minerals Act, RSA 2000, c M-17 (MMA) refers to the concept of joint responsibility in two places. Both references were added to the MMA in 2003, see SA 2003, c 18. This post reviews three cases that consider these provisions of the MMA: Terra Energy Corp (Re), 2023 ABKB 236 (CanLII) (Terra Energy), Alberta (Energy and Minerals) v Spartan Delta Corp, 2026 ABCA 214 (CanLII) (Spartan Delta), and Alberta (Energy and Minerals) v Canadian Natural Resources Limited, 2026 ABCA 213 (CanLII) (CNRL).

Alberta Energy Regulator Makes Rule Changes Aimed At Gutting Participation by ENGOs

By Nigel Bankes

On June 8, 2026

In Administrative Law, Energy, Environmental

By: Nigel Bankes

Matter Commented on: Alberta Energy Regulator, Bulletin 2026-22: New Editions of the Alberta Energy Regulator Rules of Practice and Directive 031 and Alberta Energy Regulator Rules of Practice, Alta Reg 99/2013, as amended by Alta Reg 88/2026.

PDF Version: Alberta Energy Regulator Makes Rule Changes Aimed At Gutting Participation by ENGOs

Last month (May 2026) the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) issued a Bulletin announcing changes to its Rules of Practice. The AER made these changes on February 5, 2026 and filed them April 30, 2026; they were gazetted “for information purposes” in the Alberta Gazette, Part 2, May 15, 2026. The AER Bulletin is dated May 5, 2026. The AER has the authority to make the Rules of Practice under s 61 of the Responsible Energy Development Act, SA 2012 c R-17.3 (REDA) but only, of course, to the extent that such Rules are consistent with the Act and with any regulations made under the Act (see REDA, ss 60 and 61). So far as I know, the AER made these Rule changes without following any notice and comment procedure. In other words, the AER provided no advance notice of its intention to make these amendments, no supporting rationale for the amendments, and no opportunity for anybody to comment on the amendments. The amendments appear to be part of a systematic effort by the AER to limit the right of those trying to speak for the environment and public lands to participate in the AER’s decision-making processes. Whether or not the AER was prodded into making these changes by industry or by the Department or Minister of Energy and Minerals will likely only be revealed by a responsive access to information filing.

Bill 30, Expedited Project Approvals: Proponents Should Look Before They Leap

By Nigel Bankes

On April 24, 2026

In Administrative Law, Energy, Environmental, Natural Resources

By: Nigel Bankes and Drew Yewchuk

Matters Commented On: (1) Bill 30: Expedited 120 Day Approvals Act, first reading, April 14, 2026, (2) Press Release, Faster Approvals for Major Projects, April 14, 2026, (3) Bill-30, Streamlining project approvals, the press conference featuring Minister Jean, April 14, 2026.

PDF Version: Bill 30, Expedited Project Approvals: Proponents Should Look Before They Leap

This post examines Alberta’s Bill 30, a bill that proposes to offer a project proponent the option to seek expedited project approval. The post begins with an account of the reasons offered by the United Conservative Party (UCP) for the Bill, followed by an account of the expedited approval scheme that the bill proposes. It then offers a critique of some different aspects of Bill 30 before suggesting that a proponent should think carefully before accepting the government’s offer of an expedited process – it may be a poisoned chalice.