Electricity – Power Line Applications

The Canada Energy Regulator’s (CER) electricity mandate is set out in the Canadian Energy Regulator Act (CER Act). This mandate includes the regulation of the construction and operation of international power lines and designated inter-provincial power lines, as well as electricity exports.

Electric utility companies are required to obtain the CER’s approval to construct new facilities that would be regulated by the CER Act, or to modify or abandon existing facilities. Facilities include transmission lines and associated equipment, such as a substation. Contact the CER to set-up a pre-application meeting, if planning to make an international power line application to the CER.

Export applications require a separate application process.

Links to the regulations, guidance and related documents which support the CER Act in relation to the construction and operation of international power lines and designated inter-provincial power lines are provided below.

Regulations

• National Energy Board Electricity Regulations (Electricity Regulations) (SOR/97-130)
• International and Interprovincial Power Line Damage Prevention Regulations – Authorizations (SOR/2019-347)
• Power Line Crossing Regulations (SOR/95-500) [REPEALED]

General Orders

• 2012-11-29
  General Order for Electricity Reliability Standards MO-036-2012
  The National Energy Board has issued a General Order for mandatory electricity reliability standards for certain International Power Lines in Canada.
  • 2012-12-06
    Notification Letter for General Order for Electricity Reliability Standards [Filing A49626]

Guidance

• 2015
  Electricity Filing Manual
• 2003-02-07
  Memorandum of Guidance to Interested Parties Concerning Full Implementation of the September 1988 Canadian Electricity Policy (revised 23 January 2003) [Filing A05257]
  • 2012-07-11
    2012 Update of the Electricity Memorandum of Guidance to Interested Parties Concerning Full Implementation of the September 1988 Canadian Electricity Policy [PDF 74 KB]

Related Documents

• 2014-01-22
  Consultation with Aboriginal People [Folder 522930]
  • Traditional Territory Analysis for Non-Hearing Applications [Filing A56504]
• 2008-07-18
  Major Projects Management Office (MPMO)
  The MPMO process applies to all section 52 (pipeline) and section 58.16 (power line) NEB Act applications for the construction of new facilities.
• 2004-12-23
  Model Conditions for International Power Line Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity [Filing A08871]

ARCHIVED – Electricity – Power Line Applications

Date modified:

2020-09-29