AUC seeking comments on Rule 007: Facility applications

April 29, 2025

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• Energy
• Solar Power
• Transmission Lines
• Wind Power

The Alberta Utilities Commission wants feedback on its draft blackline document of Rule 007, which provides guidelines for approval of facility applications, including wind, solar and hydro power plants, transmission lines and substations.

New changes to Rule 007 mainly incorporate the recent decisions made by the government of Alberta that prohibit or discourage wind and solar development in designated buffer zones and on agricultural lands, as well as requirements for reclamation security. Many of these changes were announced following the halt on renewable energy announced in 2023. Other supposed arose from the Renewable Energy Development on Public Land survey. The results of this survey have still not been released.

AWA has already expressed our concerns with the extent of these new restrictions, particularly as they are applied only to renewable energy and not to more destructive energy developments, such as oil and gas. We support the protection of sensitive and productive environmental and agricultural lands, but only restricting renewable development will have little effect, and restrictions should be applied fairly across all sectors.

• Read More: New restrictions on renewable energy must be applied to oil and gas sector
• Read More: Alberta releases map for new renewable energy restrictions

We would like to understand the justification behind these decisions, and ask that the results of the Renewable Energy Development on Agricultural Land survey be released publicly, since they were intended to inform these new restrictions. Major government decisions affecting Albertans must be transparent.

Some changes in the report are encouraging. For instance, Alberta has generally fallen behind other regions in dictating safety standards around energy storage. The proposed changes include additional requirements for monitoring, training and understanding potential hazards for energy storage.

As well, AWA has long been advocating for an expansion of the directly affected stakeholders included in hearings, and are supportive of other occupants or interest holders being included in consultation. We argue that many developments have impact beyond the immediate area, and so the definition of “affected parties” should be expanded.

AWA’s comments on these changes to rule 007 are available here.

The AUC is seeking comments until May 23, 2025.

Some of the changes included are:

• Descriptions of public and Indigenous benefits derived from the project.
• Descriptions of the area disturbed and expected disturbance.
• Incorporation of more municipal feedback, including land use information and engagement.
• Agricultural and irrigation land information and proposed agricultural activities during power plant operation.
• Additional information for visual impact assessments and when project is located in a buffer zone.
• Reclamation securities and costs to reclaim the project.
• Clarification around solar glare and shadow flicker.
• Clear timelines for when the project can be built following approval.
• Safety requirements for energy storage systems.
• Consideration of seasonal and permanent wetlands.