Export Electricity Permits: Furry Creek & MC Hydro

Summary#

• Furry Creek Power Ltd. and MC Hydro Holding Corp. have each applied to the Canada Energy Regulator to export up to 100,000 MWh of electricity a year to the United States for 10 years.
• The CER is asking for public comments before it decides. Written submissions are due by 9 February 2024.

What it does#

• Each company applied under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act to export up to 100,000 MWh (combined firm and interruptible energy) yearly for 10 years. The applications were filed on 22 December 2023 (Furry Creek) and 2 January 2024 (MC Hydro).
• The applicants (or their affiliates) say they own or have an interest in Canadian generation or transmission facilities (listed in an appendix to each application).
• The Canada Energy Regulator is seeking views from interested parties before issuing a permit or moving the application to a licensing process.
• The applications are public on the CER website and can be requested by emailing projects@bluearth.ca. Written comments must be filed with the CER and emailed to the applicant by 9 February 2024. Applicants may reply to submissions by 24 February 2024.
• For process questions, contact the Secretary of the Commission (phone number given in the notice). The notice was signed by Ramona Sladic.

Who's affected#

• The two applicants and their affiliates.
• Companies or organizations that buy electricity in Canada and might want to buy the power the applicants plan to export.
• Provincial utilities, grid operators, and electricity market participants that plan supply, trade, or reliability.
• The public, to the extent exports could influence local electricity availability or prices.
• It is not fully clear from the notice which provinces’ supplies would be affected; the CER asked submitters to comment on that point.

Why it matters#

• Export permits change how much Canadian electricity can be sent to the U.S., which can affect supply and market dynamics at home.
• If exports reduce available supply in a province, that could influence prices, reliability planning, or who gets first access to power.
• The CER is explicitly asking whether domestic buyers were given a fair chance to buy the electricity — that matters to businesses and utilities that rely on domestic supply.
• If you have a stake (utility, buyer, Indigenous group, or public interest), the notice gives a short window to comment: submit by 9 February 2024.