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.

Regulations

• National Energy Board Electricity Regulations (SOR/97-130)
• International and Interprovincial Power Line Damage Prevention Regulations – Authorizations (SOR/2019-347)
• International and Interprovincial Power Line Damage Prevention Regulations – Obligations of Holders of Permits and Certificates (SOR/2020-49)
• Power Line Crossing Regulations (SOR/95-500) [REPEALED]
• NEW 2024-12-14
  Proposed International Power Lines (Permits) Regulations
  • The proposed Regulations and the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement were pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on 14 December 2024, Vol. 158, No. 50.
  • Notification

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]

Related Documents

• Update 2020-08
  Major Projects Office (MPMO)
  The MPMO process applies to all section 183 (pipeline) and section 262 (power line) CER Act applications for the construction of new facilities.
  • 2008-07-18
    The MPMO process applies to all section 52 (pipeline) and section 58.16 (power line) NEB Act applications for the construction of new facilities.
• 2014-01-22
  Consultation with Aboriginal People [Folder 522930]
  • Traditional Territory Analysis for Non-Hearing Applications [Filing A56504]
• 2004-12-23
  Model Conditions for International Power Line Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity [Filing A08871]

ARCHIVED – Electricity – Power Line Applications

Date modified:

2024-12-13