Railroad seeks 30-year US electricity export

Summary#

An application from Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company to export electricity to the United States as a border accommodation was filed with the Canada Energy Regulator on January 23, 2025. The company asks to export up to 750 kW and 6 000 kWh of firm energy each year for 30 years, from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2055, and the regulator is asking for public comments before deciding.

What it does#

• Asks the regulator for permission to export up to 750 kW and 6 000 kWh of firm energy per year.
• Seeks that export for 30 years, from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2055.
• Invites public and interested parties to comment to the Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator about the application. Written comments are due by February 24, 2025.
• Requires the applicant to answer certain submissions (about informing domestic buyers and effects on other provinces) by March 11, 2025.
• Notes the request was made under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act and that the full application is available on the regulator’s website or on request.

Who's affected#

• Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company (the applicant).
• The Canada Energy Regulator and its Commission, which will decide whether to grant a permit or send the matter to a licensing process.
• Provincial utilities, grid operators, or electricity buyers who might be looking to buy power in Canada — the Commission wants to know if they were told about this sale.
• Local communities or sites near where the border transfer would occur, if the export changes how power is used on the Canadian side.
• If it’s unclear who else might be affected, because the notice does not name a specific province or facility.

Why it matters#

• The export is relatively small in size but could matter at a local level (for example, supplying a border facility or a specific operation).
• The regulator is checking whether the export would affect electricity supplies or buyers in other provinces and whether Canadian buyers had a fair chance to buy the power first.
• This is a public step: people and organizations can comment before the regulator decides.