Browse 18,476 regulations from 36 regulators

Financial resources

Pipeline companies authorized under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act must maintain financial resources sufficient to cover liability limits set by the Commission. The Commission may specify required types and amounts of financial resources, including letters of credit, guarantees, bonds, insurance, and readily accessible funds. Companies must demonstrate compliance upon request and maintain these resources until obtaining abandonment approval.

Plan, profile and book of reference

Energy infrastructure proponents must submit a plan, profile, and book of reference to the Canadian Energy Regulator detailing all land parcels to be acquired or traversed, including parcel identification, dimensions, area, and owner/occupier information. The Regulator may require additional details as necessary.

Sentencing principles

Section 174 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act mandates sentencing principles for pipeline offences involving unintended or uncontrolled releases of oil, gas, or commodities. Courts must increase fines based on aggravating factors including harm to human/environmental safety, intentional or reckless conduct, financial motivation, prior non-compliance, and post-offence concealment or failure to mitigate. Courts must provide written reasons if declining to apply identified aggravating factors.

Suspension or revocation of licences — contravention

The Canadian Energy Regulator may suspend or revoke a licence if the holder breaches a licence condition or if the regulator deems it in the public interest (with ministerial approval). The licence holder must receive notice of the alleged contravention and an opportunity to respond before any order is made.

Regulations

Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 353 empowers the Governor in Council to make regulations governing oil and gas exports, including licence quantities, validity periods (up to 40 years for natural gas, 25 years for oil), inspection requirements, price controls, and exemptions for exports to Chile and Costa Rica.

Variation of sanctions

Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 176, courts may vary sanctions orders against offenders upon application if circumstances have changed. Courts can modify prohibitions, directions, requirements, or conditions; extend enforcement duration up to one year; reduce duration; or partially or fully relieve compliance obligations after hearing the offender, regulator, and interested parties.

Coming into force and cessation of effect — Commission

Section 67 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act empowers the Commission, designated officers, and inspection officers to specify effective and cessation dates for authorization documents and orders, or impose conditions controlling their timing. Interim orders may be issued with decisions reserved, except for Part 3 certificates.

Application

Section 382 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act establishes procedural requirements for Commission decisions on declarations of significant or commercial discovery under the Canada Petroleum Resources Act. The Commission must provide at least 30 days' written notice to affected persons, allow written hearing requests within 30 days, conduct hearings where requested, and publish decision reasons upon request.

Rules

The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission is authorized to establish procedural rules governing its operations, including the powers and duties of commissioners, conduct of hearings, issuance of decisions and orders, and internal administrative procedures.

Recommendations on cooperative measures

The Canadian Energy Regulator may recommend measures to the Minister that it deems necessary or appropriate to facilitate cooperation with governmental and other agencies in Canada and internationally on energy matters, energy sources, and the safety and security of regulated and abandoned facilities.

Additional material to be deposited

Pipeline companies must deposit additional materials with the Canadian Energy Regulator beyond standard filings, including plans, specifications, and drawings for pipeline components, as required by the regulator.

Voluntary reporting

The Canadian Energy Regulator may establish voluntary reporting systems for alleged non-compliance with the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, subject to Governor in Council approval. Regulations may protect reporter identity, making identity-revealing information privileged and inadmissible in legal or disciplinary proceedings. Reports from protected systems cannot be used against the reporter.

Construction or operation — navigable water

Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 218, any person must obtain a certificate or order from the Canadian Energy Regulator before constructing or operating a pipeline that crosses navigable waters in any manner (in, on, over, under, through, or across).

Regulations

Section 221 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act authorizes the Governor in Council to establish regulations for pipeline sections crossing navigable waters, covering design, construction, operation, safety, security, deviations, relocation, and abandonment. Violations are prosecutable as summary conviction offences.

Effects of recommendation on navigation

The Canadian Energy Regulator must consider navigation safety impacts as a material factor when recommending pipeline approvals and making regulatory decisions for pipelines crossing navigable waters.

Counterintelligence Evaluation Program

10 CFR Part 709 establishes the Department of Energy's Counterintelligence Evaluation Program, defining procedures for counterintelligence evaluations of DOE employees and contractor employees. The rule sets guidelines for polygraph examinations to assess eligibility for access to classified information and special nuclear material, while protecting individual rights through defined adverse personnel action standards and counterintelligence evaluation processes.

Suspension

The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may suspend application of any tariff or portion thereof before or after it becomes effective, providing regulatory authority over energy infrastructure service charges.

Further information

The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may request additional information from applicants within a reasonable timeframe after notice publication to support its decision-making process for recommendations.

Delay of issuance

The Canadian Energy Regulator may recommend to the Minister that an electricity export application be designated by Governor in Council order and may delay permit issuance during this process. The Commission must avoid duplicating provincial measures, consider effects on other provinces, verify the applicant offered domestic buyers fair access to available electricity at comparable terms, and account for regulatory factors.

Definitions

This section establishes key definitions under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act for regulatory jurisdiction and scope. 'Designated area' includes Canadian provinces, Sable Island, and federal submarine territories where Canada controls resource rights. 'Designated oil or gas' refers to specific oil or gas products subject to regulatory orders. 'Movement' covers domestic transportation of oil or gas but excludes exports.

Where licence required

Under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, the Governor in Council may designate electricity export applications and revoke permits within 45 days of issuance. When such an order is made, permits cannot be issued and the application must be processed as a licence application instead.

Worker Safety and Health Program

10 CFR Part 851 establishes mandatory worker safety and health program requirements for contractors at Department of Energy sites. The rule requires safe and healthful workplaces, procedures for investigating violations, and appropriate remedies. It excludes work regulated by OSHA, naval nuclear propulsion operations, radiological hazards covered by other CFR parts, and transportation to/from DOE sites.

Issuance

The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may issue electricity export licences subject to Governor in Council approval. Before issuing, the Commission must consider interprovincial effects, confirm applicants have informed domestic buyers of available quantities and service classes, and given domestic buyers equal opportunity to purchase on comparable terms. Any existing permits are revoked if the export licence is denied.

Waiver of Patent Rights

The Department of Energy waives its patent rights under the Atomic Energy Act for inventions and discoveries resulting from DOE-supplied source materials, special nuclear materials, heavy water, radioactive and stable isotopes, and irradiation services provided by national laboratories (Oak Ridge, Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Argonne, and Brookhaven), except where DOE or contractor personnel perform the irradiation work or specific written agreements apply.

Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Wastes in a Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Domestic Licensing of Special Nuclear Material

Definition of document of authorization

Section 9 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act defines 'document of authorization' as regulatory instruments issued by the CER, including certificates, permits, authorizations, licenses, and orders that establish the legal framework for energy infrastructure regulation in Canada.

Regulations

Section 333 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act grants the Regulator authority to establish regulations governing land acquisition, leasing, expropriation, and compensation for energy projects. The regulations may address compensation procedures, notice service requirements, acquisition processes, agreement terms, approval criteria, and filing of voluntary landowner agreements.

Consent of Yukon first nation or Governor in Council

Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 318, energy companies must obtain consent from relevant Yukon First Nations or the Gwich'in Tribal Council before using settlement land or Tetlit Gwich'in Yukon land. If consent is denied, the Governor in Council may authorize use after a public hearing with notice to affected parties. Companies must compensate First Nations for land use or injurious effects from pipeline construction.

Methods of acquisition or lease

Canadian pipeline companies acquiring or leasing land must include contractual provisions for compensation (lump-sum or periodic payments reviewed every five years), operational damages, indemnification (excluding owner gross negligence or willful misconduct), land-use restrictions, and compensation for adverse effects on remaining lands.

Abandoned facilities

Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 101, persons must obtain authorization from a designated officer before contacting, altering, or removing abandoned energy facilities. The Regulator may establish regulations and the Commission may issue orders specifying circumstances in which such authorization is not required.

Requirements for Renewal of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants

Offence and punishment

Section 223 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act establishes criminal penalties for contraventions of reporting and operational requirements. Indictable offences carry fines up to CAD $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment up to five years; summary convictions carry fines up to CAD $100,000 and/or imprisonment up to one year.

Order in Council

The Governor in Council may issue orders placing supervision and control of designated oil or gas movement from specified areas under the Canadian Energy Regulator. While such an order is in force, persons moving designated oil or gas from the area must hold a licence under the relevant Division or comply with applicable regulations.

Issuance

The Canadian Energy Regulator Act s. 370 authorizes the Commission to issue licenses permitting movement of designated oil or gas out of designated areas, subject to regulatory conditions and compliance with the Act, its regulations, orders, and applicable provisions of the Energy Administration Act.

Commission

The Canadian Energy Regulator shall comprise up to seven full-time commissioners, with provision for part-time members, and must include at least one Indigenous full-time commissioner.

Energy Planning and Management Program

The Energy Planning and Management Program (EPAMP) under 10 CFR Part 905 establishes requirements for Western Area Power Administration customers to support energy policy objectives through integrated resource planning, demand-side management, energy efficiency investments, renewable energy development, and mandatory reporting on energy efficiency and renewable energy activities.

Lead Commissioner’s powers

Section 49 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act preserves the Lead Commissioner's independent authority to issue corrective and preventive enforcement measures against energy sector entities, ensuring regulatory discretion is not constrained by procedural requirements elsewhere in the Act.

Physical Protection of Plants and Materials

Section 3

This section has been repealed and contains no active regulatory content.

Annual report

The Canadian Energy Regulator's board must submit an annual report to the Minister within 120 days of each fiscal year end (March 31), detailing the Regulator's activities. The Minister must table the report in Parliament within 15 sitting days of receipt.

Implementing Voluntary Agreements Under the Defense Production Act

This regulation implements section 708 of the Defense Production Act, allowing the Secretary of Energy to approve voluntary agreements with domestic nuclear energy companies to develop preparedness programs and expand productive capacity for national defense. Agreements require written Secretary approval and Attorney General clearance, expire after 5 years unless renewed, and void any conflicting provisions.

Pooled fund

Canadian pipeline operators may satisfy financial liability requirements for commodity releases by participating in a regulated pooled fund established by authorized pipeline companies. Operators must maintain additional reserves equal to any shortfall between their liability requirements and pooled fund access. The Governor in Council may establish regulations governing minimum fund levels, contribution and withdrawal limits, and participation conditions.

Specific Domestic Licenses of Broad Scope for Byproduct Material

Conflict of Interest Act

Canadian Energy Regulator commissioners must disclose conflicts of interest including direct involvement in hydrocarbon, electricity, or offshore energy production, trading, transmission, or import/export; holdings in energy corporation securities; incompatible employment; or employment with the Regulator itself.

Notice of proposed acquisition or lease of lands

Pipeline companies must notify all identifiable landowners of lands required for pipeline construction or operation, providing detailed descriptions of required lands, compensation valuations, route approval procedures, and dispute resolution options. Pre-notice agreements are void, and companies are liable for all damages if they subsequently abandon acquisition or lease plans.

Conduct of Employees and Former Employees

10 CFR Part 1010 establishes ethical conduct standards for Department of Energy employees and former employees. It requires DOE employees to comply with executive branch ethical conduct, financial disclosure, and employee responsibility regulations; mandates reporting of fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption to the Inspector General; and sets procedures for former executive branch employees to communicate scientific or technological information to DOE under post-employment conflict-of-interest exemptions.

Role of the board of directors

Section 17 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act establishes the board of directors' governance role, requiring it to provide strategic direction and advice to the Regulator while being prohibited from influencing specific Commission decisions or recommendations. The board may establish bylaws for its operations, with quorum defined as a majority of directors including the Chairperson.

Byproduct Material

10 CFR Part 962 defines 'byproduct material' under the Atomic Energy Act for DOE facilities as any radioactive material (except special nuclear material) produced or made radioactive by exposure to radiation during special nuclear material production or use. For RCRA compliance, only actual radionuclides in DOE-owned radioactive waste are covered; nonradioactive hazardous components remain subject to separate RCRA regulation.

Appointment

Section 28 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act establishes the appointment and governance framework for CER commissioners. Commissioners are appointed by the Governor in Council for terms up to six years, with a maximum total tenure of ten years. Appointees must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and cannot be directors. The Governor in Council sets remuneration and covers reasonable travel and other expenses.