Saskatchewan Power Corp. et al. v. Alberta Utilities Commission et al., (2015) 600 A.R. 337

JudgeRowbotham, Bielby and Brown, JJ.A.
CourtCourt of Appeal (Alberta)
Case DateJanuary 15, 2015
Citations(2015), 600 A.R. 337;2015 ABCA 183

Sask. Power Corp. v. Utilities Comm. (2015), 600 A.R. 337; 645 W.A.C. 337 (CA)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2015] A.R. TBEd. JN.037

Saskatchewan Power Corporation and Northpoint Energy Solutions Inc. (appellants/applicants) v. Alberta Utilities Commission, Alberta Electric System Operator, Montana Alberta Tie Ltd., Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc., and NaturEner USA, LLC (respondents/respondents)

(1301-0048-AC)

ATCO Power Ltd. (appellant/applicant) v. Alberta Utilities Commission, Alberta Electric System Operator, Montana Alberta Tie Ltd., Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc., and NaturEner USA, LLC (respondents/respondents)

(1301-0049-AC)

Powerex Corp. and British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (appellants/applicants) v. Alberta Utilities Commission, Alberta Electric System Operator, Montana Alberta Tie Ltd., Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc., and NaturEner USA, LLC (respondents/respondents)

(1301-0050-AC)

TransCanada Energy Ltd. (appellant/applicant) v. Alberta Utilities Commission, Alberta Electric System Operator, Montana Alberta Tie Ltd., Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc., and NaturEner USA, LLC (respondents/respondents)

(1301-0054-AC; 2015 ABCA 183)

Indexed As: Saskatchewan Power Corp. et al. v. Alberta Utilities Commission et al.

Alberta Court of Appeal

Rowbotham, Bielby and Brown, JJ.A.

June 3, 2015.

Summary:

The Alberta Utilities Commission confirmed the Independent System Operator (ISO)'s proposed rule for allocating system available transfer capability. The appellants, market participants, had objected to the ISO rule and asked to set aside the Commission's decision. The appeal was limited to whether the Commission reasonably interpreted three legislative provisions: s. 29 of the Electric Utilities Act, and ss. 16 and 27 of the Transmission Regulation.

The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

Public Utilities - Topic 13

General - General principles and definitions - Legislation - Interpretation - The Alberta Utilities Commission confirmed the Independent System Operator (ISO)'s proposed rule for allocating system available transfer capability - The appellants, market participants, asked to set aside the Commission's decision - They had objected to the ISO rule on the grounds that it did not support the fair, efficient and openly competitive operation of the market, was not in the public interest and was technically deficient (Electric Utilities Act, s. 20.4(1)) - The appeal was limited to whether the Commission reasonably interpreted three legislative provisions: s. 29 of the Act (by finding that the ISO was required to provide system access service to intertie operators), and ss. 16 and 27 of the Transmission Regulation, the two key provisions governing interties - The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal - The application of the legal principles associated with statutory interpretation (the "modern rule") did not lead the Commission to an unreasonable result - See paragraphs 32 to 71.

Public Utilities - Topic 4743

Public utility commissions or corporations (incl. private providers) - Judicial review and appeals - Appeals - [See Public Utilities - Topic 13 ].

Statutes - Topic 2603

Interpretation of words and phrases - Modern rule (incl. interpretation by context) - Intention from whole of section or statute - [See Public Utilities - Topic 13 ].

Cases Noticed:

ATCO Electric Ltd. v. Energy and Utilities Board (Alta.) (2004), 361 A.R. 1; 339 W.A.C. 1; 2004 ABCA 215, refd to. [para. 4].

ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. et al. v. Alberta Utilities Commission (2014), 588 A.R. 134; 626 W.A.C. 134; 2014 ABCA 397, refd to. [para. 4].

New Brunswick (Board of Management) v. Dunsmuir, [2008] 1 S.C.R. 190; 372 N.R. 1; 329 N.B.R.(2d) 1; 844 A.P.R. 1; 2008 SCC 9, refd to. [para. 21].

McLean v. British Columbia Securities Commission, [2013] 3 S.C.R. 895; 452 N.R. 340; 347 B.C.A.C. 1; 593 W.A.C. 1; 2013 SCC 67, refd to. [para. 22].

Reference Re Broadcasting Act, [2012] 3 S.C.R. 489; 437 N.R. 124; 2012 SCC 68, refd to. [para. 40].

Memorial Gardens Association (Canada) Ltd. v. Colwood Cemetery Co., [1958] S.C.R. 353, refd to. [para. 72].

Sincennes et al. v. Energy and Utilities Board (Alta.) et al. (2009), 454 A.R. 121; 455 W.A.C. 121; 2009 ABCA 167, refd to. [para. 72].

Statutes Noticed:

Electric Utilities Act, S.A. 2003, c. E-5.1, sect. 29 [para. 34].

Electric Utilities Act Regulations (Alta.), Transmission Regulation, Reg. 86/2007, sect. 16 [para. 52]; sect. 27(4) [para. 61].

Transmission Regulation (Alta.) - see Electric Utilities Act Regulations (Alta.).

Authors and Works Noticed:

Sullivan, Ruth, Sullivan on the Construction of Statutes (5th Ed. 2008), p. 1 [para. 40].

Counsel:

G. R. Jeerakathil and K.A. MacDonald, for the appellants, Saskatchewan Power Corporation and Northpoint Energy Solutions Inc.;

C.W. Sanderson, Q.C., and C.C. Ferguson, for the appellants, Powerex Corp. and British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority;

E.B. Mellett and M.H. Buchinski, for the appellant, ATCO Power Ltd.;

G.S. Fitch, Q.C., for the appellant, TransCanada Energy Ltd.;

C. Wall, for the respondent, Alberta Utilities Commission;

D.G. Davies, Q.C., for the respondent, Alberta Electric System Operator;

K.F. Miller, for the respondent, Montana Alberta Tie Ltd.;

D.P. Langen and R.A. Howie, for the respondent, Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc.;

R. Twyman and V. Light, for the respondent, NaturEner USA, LLC.

This appeal was heard on January 15, 2015, before Rowbotham, Bielby and Brown, JJ.A., of the Alberta Court of Appeal. The Court delivered the following memorandum of judgment, filed at Calgary, Alberta, on June 3, 2015.

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