The push for electrification – Alberta Law Review The push for electrification – Alberta Law Review

In an article for the Alberta Law Review, authors Deirdre Sheehan, partner and Co-Chair, Regulatory, Indigenous and Environmental; Vivek Warrier, partner, Corporate; Jake Sadikman, partner, Commercial; and Laura Scott, associate, Regulatory, Indigenous and Environmental, Disputes, share their insights on the federal government’s Draft Clean Electricity Regulations (CERs). The proposed regulations have important implications for provincial policies relating to clean electricity.

If adopted as drafted, beginning January 1, 2035, the CERs would introduce significant restrictions on electricity generation that is not low or non-emitting. The CERs underpin the federal government’s plan to achieve a net-zero economy by 2050.

Ottawa’s electricity plan comes at a time when Canadian provinces are planning for aggressive growth of their electricity supplies to meet increased electrification demands. Not surprisingly, the CERs have drawn a severe backlash, including claims of unconstitutionality, from the provinces with electricity systems most reliant on emitting sources of generation.

Federal and provincial policies will continue to play an important role in shaping the future of generation investments and the pace of increased electricity demand. The authors encourage federal law and policy to balance the priorities of different jurisdictions rather than impose a singular one-size-fits-all approach.

Read the full article published by the Alberta Law Review, January 8, 2025, Vol 62, No 2: Energy. Law Edition.