Alberta Utilities Commission launches Inquiry into electricity generation – Important Opportunity for Indigenous governments and Indigenous-owned businesses – MLT Aikins
September 14, 2023
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) announced it will hold an Inquiry “into the ongoing economic, orderly and efficient development of electricity generation in Alberta”. The Inquiry flows from the Alberta government’s recent order in council and regulation that halted regulatory authorizations for new renewable electricity generation projects. This Inquiry presents an opportunity for Indigenous governments and Indigenous-owned businesses to influence the process and considerations that govern permission to develop and operate electricity generation projects.
Module A, the first phase of the Inquiry, will look at impacts on land arising from electricity generation projects, including siting and reclamation issues. Amongst other issues, the Inquiry will explore how the AUC should consider impacts of developing electricity generation projects on provincial Crown lands. Indigenous harvesting rights are largely exercised on unoccupied Crown lands. Presently, the development of renewable projects on provincial Crown lands is not permitted.
