Grand Trunk Western seeks 30‑year electricity export

Summary#

Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company has applied to the Canada Energy Regulator under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act for permission to export electricity to the United States as a border accommodation. The request is for 30 years, from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2055, for up to 750 kW and 6 000 kWh of firm energy each year. The CER is asking for public comments before it decides.

What it does#

• Asks the CER to authorize an export of electricity to the U.S. as a border accommodation transfer linked to an international work.
• Seeks permission for exports of up to 750 kW and 6 000 kWh of firm energy annually over 30 years (from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2055).
• Lets the public and interested parties send written comments to the CER. Comments must be filed online and emailed to the applicant by February 24, 2025.
• Allows the applicant to answer submissions; those answers must be filed and emailed to the submitter by March 11, 2025.
• The application is available on the CER website and can be requested by email from the applicant.

Who's affected#

• Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company, as the applicant.
• The Canada Energy Regulator and its Commission, which will review the application.
• Electricity buyers and utilities in Canada who might have an interest in buying power that could otherwise be exported. The Commission specifically asks whether provinces other than the exporting province could be affected.
• Anyone or any group that wants to comment on the application. If it’s unclear exactly which customers or communities near the export point will be affected, the notice does not provide those details.

Why it matters#

• The decision would allow a company to send electricity across the Canada–U.S. border for a long term (30 years). That can affect local supply arrangements or contractual availability of power.
• The CER is explicitly asking whether Canadian buyers were given a fair chance to buy the electricity first and whether provinces other than the exporting province could be impacted. Those answers could shape the regulator’s decision.
• Deadlines matter if you want to comment: submissions by February 24, 2025; applicant responses by March 11, 2025.