Engelhart Electricity Export Application

Summary#

Engelhart CTP (US) LLC applied to the Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator to export up to 2 628 000 MWh of electricity per year to the United States. The company asked for permission for 10 years, and the Commission is asking for public comments before it decides (submission deadlines are January 6, 2020 for comments and January 21, 2020 for the applicant’s responses).

What it does#

• Asks the regulator, under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, to allow exports of up to 2 628 000 MWh annually of combined firm and interruptible electricity.
• Seeks authorization for a period of 10 years.
• Opens a public comment process: written submissions must be filed by January 6, 2020; the applicant may answer those submissions by January 21, 2020.
• Asks interested people to comment on two specific points the Commission flagged:
  • whether the export would affect provinces other than the one supplying the electricity; and
  • whether the applicant has told Canadian buyers about the available electricity and given them a fair chance to buy it on similar terms.
• The application can be inspected at the applicant’s counsel’s office, at the Canada Energy Regulator library, or on the regulator’s website (the application is dated November 19, 2019).

Who's affected#

• Engelhart CTP (US) LLC (the applicant) and its potential buyers.
• Electricity generators, wholesalers and utilities that trade across the Canada–US border.
• Canadian companies or organizations that say they want to buy electricity for use in Canada.
• Provincial governments or energy regulators if exports come from their province — the notice does not say which province the electricity would be exported from, so that is unclear.

Why it matters#

• Large, long-term exports can change how much electricity is available domestically and can affect wholesale prices or planning in provinces that supply power.
• Canadian buyers who wanted that power may lose access or face different terms if the export goes ahead.
• The Commission’s public comment step gives affected groups a chance to raise concerns before any permit or licence decision is made.