This blog is dedicated to providing you updates from regulatory bodies who have released actions, closures and instructions relating to their operations in response to COVID-19.
ALBERTA ENERGY REGULATOR
As of March 17, 2020 3:30pm
"As the situation around COVID-19 continues to evolve, the AER is taking steps to protect our staff and stakeholders, while continuing our work to deliver on our mandate. This includes making decisions on applications, enforcing our requirements, and responding to energy-related incidents across Alberta. Effective immediately:"
All AER offices remain open. However, AER staff are encouraged to work from home, where possible.
Meetings with stakeholders will be held virtually, instead of in-person.
The AER will continue to respond to energy-related incidents 24-hours a day.
Oral portions of AER hearings will not be held. We are reviewing our current and future adjudicative functions to ensure they remain fair and transparent, while protecting the health of everyone involved.
Customer Contact Centre will continue to respond to inquires
ALBERTA CONSULTATION OFFICE
As of March 17, 2020
Cancelling proponent guide face to face sessions previously scheduled on March 25, 2020.
As of March 20, 2020
All Consultation Timelines and Consultation Adequacy Decisions associated with The Government of Alberta’s Guidelines on Consultation with First Nations on Land and Natural Resource Management are temporarily paused due to the Covid-19 SOLE occurring in the province for: Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Blood Tribe, Horse Lake First Nation, Kapawe’no First Nation, Paul First Nation, Peerless Trout First Nation, Siksika Nation, Sturgeon Lake, Cree Nation, and Sucker Creek First Nation. These pauses will be reassessed in two weeks time.
ALBERTA UTILITIES COMMISSION
As of March 17, 2020
AUC Calgary and Edmonton offices are closed in response to COVID-19 risk. AUC teams remain engaged on all files. AUC is deferring all live hearings, consultations or information sessions until further notice, with written or remote-participation options explored as appropriate. AUC is taking steps to ensure that the work critical to Alberta’s essential utility services and infrastructure continues as seamlessly as possible.
BC OIL AND GAS COMMISSION
As of March 19, 2020
The BC Oil and Gas Commission (Commission) is closing its remaining four offices in Fort St. John, Victoria, Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson. Commission offices in Terrace, Kelowna, and Prince George closed on March 17. The majority of our staff are working from home and we have suspended all non-essential travel, so any inquiries or required meetings are being held via phone. The Commission has tested its systems so staff can work from home, and operations are being maintained during this period, including all emergency services.
CANADA ENERGY REGULATOR
As of March 17, 2020
The CER is implementing the following operational changes. These changes are in place until further notice.
Oral portions of hearings will not be held as planned. All current adjudication processes are being looked at for ways to optimize hearing participant involvement to ensure these processes continue in a manner that is fair and transparent, while protecting the health of those involved.
Planned meetings, between CER staff and company representatives, regardless of location, will be conducted by webinar or conference call.
Compliance verification activities will continue to take place but will be modified to reduce in-person interactions.
Information sessions, technical conferences, working groups, committee and sub-committee meetings will be conducted by webinar or conference call where possible, or postponed.
We have suspended all international business travel and domestic travel is now limited to business critical activities.
The CER is adhering to the advice from Canada's Chief Public Health Officer to practice social distancing and staff attendance in a CER capacity at any public events has been suspended.
All stakeholders should continue to file regulatory documents using the CER’s e-filing service. The CER will postpone the requirement to file a hard copy within three business days until further notice. You should still prepare your hard copies, with the signed receipt, to be filed with the CER at a later date. We have fewer staff working in our offices, so please do not mail or fax documents. If you have sensitive material that cannot be filed electronically, you can email a .pdf document (10 MB or less) to secretary@cer-rec.gc.ca.