Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements, and other government-related news concerning power generation and transmission, wind and solar, utilities, midstream companies, batteries and energy storage, LNG, biofuels and nuclear. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-05-25
End Date: 2025-05-31

Canadian Federal GR News

Speech from the Throne: Government Sets Course for Energy Superpower Status

The federal government's Speech from the Throne, delivered on May 27, opened the 45th Parliament with a stated aim to position Canada as an energy superpower. The address set out intentions to redefine the economic relationship with the United States, deepen connections with other trading partners, and build a robust domestic economy. Specific initiatives include tax reductions, expanded dental care, and the removal of trade barriers. The government signaled priorities on enhancing border security, strengthening the Armed Forces, and implementing community safety and environmental measures. There was an explicit reference to fiscal discipline and ongoing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. According to the speech, climate and environmental action will be handled through collaboration and parliamentary debate. While the Throne Speech referenced energy ambitions and environmental efforts broadly, no explicit mention was made of the oil and gas sector.

Sources: Transcripts: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Federal Government Moves to Permanently Repeal Consumer Carbon Price

The Department of Finance has proposed legislative amendments to permanently repeal the federal fuel charge framework under Part 1 of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. Following regulatory changes in March that ceased the federal fuel charge as of April 1, 2025, the proposal retroactively repeals nearly all charging provisions effective that date, with an exception for certain railways that require a true-up period ending October 1, 2025. Rebates for charge paid in error or reassessment may be claimed until the final repeal phase. All registration provisions would be repealed as of November 1, 2025. Remaining provisions, such as definitions and administrative rules, are slated for repeal April 1, 2035, allowing the CRA to conclude wind-down and reassessment processes.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

New Jobs Data: Clean Technology Sector Employment on the Rise

Statistics Canada released new data showing that in 2023 the environmental and clean technology products sector accounted for 354,257 jobs in the Canadian economy, a 4.3% increase over the previous year. This represents 1.7% of all jobs nationally, with gains concentrated in areas supplying goods and services that support environmental improvement or clean technology adoption.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Fusion Regulation Framework Outlined for Stakeholder Input

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission released discussion paper DIS-25-01, launching consultations on a proposed regulatory framework for fusion energy and related technologies. The paper sets out a conceptual approach to fusion regulation and seeks feedback from industry, Indigenous communities, academia, and the public on regulatory readiness, licensing structure, and oversight. This consultation is viewed as a foundational step in developing federal rules for potential future fusion projects in Canada.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

Executive Orders Target U.S. Nuclear Sector Expansion and Advanced Reactors

Two executive orders signed May 23—Executive Orders 14302 and 14299—direct multiple federal agencies to revitalize the U.S. nuclear industrial base and advance deployment of nuclear reactor technologies. The orders set policy to expand nuclear energy production, develop domestic uranium conversion and enrichment, and overhaul spent fuel recycling programs. DOE is tasked with supporting new reactor construction (targeting ten new builds under construction by 2030 and 5 GW of uprates), prioritizing plant restarts, and streamlining funding mechanisms. Advanced reactor demonstrations, including small modular reactors, must be accelerated for deployment at military and critical infrastructure sites. Measures address workforce development, supply chain security, and international export competitiveness. The State Department is instructed to negotiate cooperation agreements supporting U.S. nuclear exports, while regulatory barriers are slated for review.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Council on Environmental Quality Withdraws NEPA Guidance on GHG Review

On May 28, the Council on Environmental Quality announced the withdrawal of its interim guidance (issued January 2023) on the consideration of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews. The agency reported that the 2023 guidance was inconsistent with recent executive policy, particularly Executive Order 14154, which calls for regulatory decisions rooted in applicable law and requires separate reporting of global versus domestic costs and benefits. The withdrawal eliminates references to the social cost of carbon and discontinues requirements for environmental justice analysis under EO 12898 and related measures. Agencies are now instructed to limit GHG emissions analysis to what is explicitly required under their statutes, as advised by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

IRS Publishes Inflation Adjustment Factor and Reference Price for Renewable Electricity Production Credit

The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2025 inflation adjustment factor for the renewable electricity production tax credit under IRC Section 45. For facilities placed in service before 2022, credits remain at 3.0 cents per kWh for wind, closed-loop biomass, and geothermal; 1.5 cents per kWh for open-loop biomass, landfill gas, and qualified hydropower. For eligible facilities placed in service after December 2021, credits are 0.6 cents per kWh for wind, certain biomass, geothermal, and solar; 0.3 cents per kWh for other qualified resources. The Inflation Reduction Act provisions extending credit periods, building in bonus credits for domestic content and energy community eligibility, and phasing out reductions are in effect for 2025.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

DOE Proposes Delay to Enforcement of Controls Verification Procedure for HVAC

The Department of Energy is proposing a one-year delay—until July 7, 2026—to selected enforcement provisions of the controls verification procedure (CVP) for central air conditioners and heat pumps as adopted in January 2025. The proposal responds to stakeholder concerns about repeatability, technical complexity, and costing. Some trade groups requested more time to validate testing tolerances, while several advocacy organizations and manufacturers opposed further postponement. Comments are open until June 30, with DOE maintaining that prior procedural determinations on the CVP remain unchanged.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Moves to Enable Geologic Carbon Storage and Strengthen Resource Regulation

Ontario re-introduced the Resource Management and Safety Act, 2025, proposing to regulate geologic carbon storage, modernize wildland fire management, reform land surveyor licensing, and allow swift intervention on hazardous oil and gas wells.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

BC and Yukon Sign Memorandum on Clean Grid Interconnection

British Columbia and Yukon formalized an agreement to advance planning for a two-way renewable electricity transmission corridor connecting their grids, backed by federal and territorial funding.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta Delegation to Promote Energy Partnerships in Washington, D.C.

Premier Danielle Smith and energy ministers will meet with U.S. officials and industry leaders in Washington from June 2 to 7 to promote Alberta as a partner in North American energy supply and investment.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Quebec Releases Results of Joint Carbon Market Auction with California

Quebec’s 43rd auction with California sold 43.8 million current vintage emission units at CA$36.05 and generated gross revenues of CA$230 million for Quebec’s Electrification and Climate Change Fund.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

New Brunswick Renews Air Quality Approval for Belledune Generating Station

NB Power’s Belledune coal and petroleum coke station received a renewed five-year Class 1 air quality approval after public consultation, effective July 1, with continued compliance required under the Clean Air Act.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

Julie Dabrusin tweeted on May 29 that Canada's competitive energy future will focus on low-risk, low-cost, and low-carbon offerings.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Shannon Stubbs posted criticism on May 30 regarding the timeframe for approving major projects in Canada as compared to U.S. federal permitting processes.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Parm Bains referenced, on May 28, the federal $15 million investment in youth green jobs as a boost to Canada’s clean energy sector.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Tony Dean posted on May 29 about pressure on Alberta’s regulator about orphan oil and gas wells, referencing recent media coverage.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Clément Gignac shared a media link on May 30 regarding plans for premiers to be briefed on a national approach to fast-tracking key infrastructure projects.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Eco Wave Power Pays First Installment of Grid Connection Fee for 1MW Project in Porto, Portugal, Marking Major Progress Toward Wave Energy Integration: Milestone for integration of wave power in European grids.
• $14 billion in clean energy projects have been canceled in the US this year, analysis says: Recent cancellations highlight challenges facing U.S. clean energy build-out.
• Ur-Energy Commends President Trump's Bold Executive Orders for the Reinvigoration of the U.S. Nuclear Industry and U.S. Energy Security: Overview of industry reaction to U.S. executive orders on nuclear energy.