During this 45-minute lunch & learn webinar, Rachele Levin, SGIN Board Member and Deputy Director in Decarbonization & Strategic Policy at Natural Resources Canada will provide an overview of utility regulation and the regulatory process.
In a previous era, Canada and the provinces designed our regulatory process for the energy sector to ensure that the development and operation of energy infrastructure is done in a safe, reliable, and cost effective manner. In recent years, the pace of change in the energy sector has accelerated, driven by factors such as advances in technology, changes in consumer preferences, and the increasing urgency of addressing climate change. This has led to an increased focus on the energy transition, including the shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. The electricity and natural gas sectors are both seeing significant change as a result of that transition.
As a result of these changes, there is more pressure on to adapt and evolve to accommodate the new realities of the energy sector which requires the effort of many players, including all orders of government, utilities, energy proponents, and consumers, as well as energy regulators. Although regulators are typically not top of mind in conversations about net-zero, they are a critical player in facilitating the energy transition because of the need to change our energy infrastructure.
Work is underway in a number of jurisdictions to progress the conversation around the regulatory process and its impact on the ability to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. It is important for the broader energy sector to be aware of the importance of regulatory decisions and to engage in the conversation around the regulatory process and its implications. This includes not only energy companies and regulators, but also consumers, environmental groups, and other stakeholders. Ultimately, the regulatory process will play a critical role in determining the success of the energy transition and the ability to achieve our GHG reduction goals.
To support the pace of change, SGIN is please to host this Regulatory Awareness webinar.