AUC holds Rule 007 virtual workshop to guide stakeholders through recent changes

The AUC recently held a virtual workshop on the afternoon of April 22, 2021, to guide stakeholders through the changes to Rule 007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations and Hydro Developments. Over 150 participants attended the session from various industries with AUC subject matter experts available to answer questions about its application. The AUC released a revised version of Rule 007 on March 5, 2021, with an effective date of September​ 1, 2021.

The workshop covered the transition period and the notification and consultation requirements until t​he new rule takes effect this fall. Highlights of changes and re-organization to the revised rule, Indigenous consultation, and the merging of Rule 020: Rules Respecting Gas Utility Pipelines were all covered before a question and answer period with participants.

“We are really grateful for the input our stakeholders provided during the consultation period,” says JP Mousseau, executive director of the AUC Facilities Division.

To make Rule 007 more accessible and easier to use, the AUC introduced a web-based delivery (wiki-style) of Rule 007 and fillable PDF application forms for various types of electric facility and gas utility pipeline applications. An applicant can now compile parts of its application by filling out the applicable application form(s) and uploading them to the eFiling System with its complete application. The overall transformation and modernization of Rule 007 was an important step in the AUC’s efforts to improve the efficiency of its processes and procedures, and ​reduce regulatory burden.

​“The revision aims to address the evolution of electric and gas utility pipeline infrastructure and streamline and improve the application process while consolidating relevant information requirements and eliminating outdated requirements,” says Mousseau.

The new Rule 007 was modernized to reflect not only the additional complexities of the advancement of renewable technologies, but also to increase the interactivity and enhance the user experience by integrating the rule onto our external website as its own webpage, with embedded facility applications. The rule is organized to allow users to obtain all the information about a specific application type in one location, without having to sort through sections that aren’t applicable to their specific application.

As a result of feedback on a full reorganization of the rule that included streamlining information requirements and eliminating outdated requirements, the updated Rule 007 has been merged with Rule 020 which will be rescinded effective September 1, 2021.

Any questions or feedback with respect to the revised Rule 007 can be sent to Wayne MacKenzie at 403-592-4420 or wayne.mackenzie@auc.ab.ca, or Sophie Jiang at 403-592-4418 or sophie.jiang@auc.ab.ca. ​