New Regulations Bring Alberta One Step Closer To Establishing A "Single Energy Regulator"

As of November 30, 2013, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) will take over administration of the Public Lands Act and the exploration provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act insofar as the legislation applies to energy resource activities.  This announcement, which was accompanied by new regulations, was made by Order in Council on November 6, 2013.

The AER's enabling statute, the Responsible Energy Development Act (REDA), provides that the AER will eventually be responsible for administering essentially all regulatory aspects of energy resource projects in Alberta; however, it is being implemented in a staged approach.  The changes effective November 30, 2013 will mark the first significant shift towards establishing a one-window regulatory approach for energy projects in Alberta.