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.

Want to track other GR news in adjacent industries? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Oil & Gas and Construction.

Dates: 2025-08-03 to 2025-08-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Federal Funding Drives Carbon Capture Technology in Ottawa

On August 8, Natural Resources Canada announced a $2.5 million investment in Ottawa-based TerraFixing through the Energy Innovation Program (EIP). The funding seeks to advance direct air capture technology with an emphasis on structured zeolite packing to enhance CO2 removal in cold climates. The project aims to deliver a 1,000-tonne-per-year capture unit at a cost target below $100 per tonne of CO2, designed to fit into a shipping container. This initiative supports scaling up made-in-Canada carbon management, contributing to goals of energy security and a low-carbon economy. Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, led the announcement. The technology is positioned to support on-site GHG mitigation solutions applicable to various sectors nationwide.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Strengthens Critical Mineral Supply Chains with Investment in New Brunswick

On August 7, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson announced $8.2 million through the Global Partnerships Initiative to Northcliff Resources, advancing the Sisson Project—a tungsten-molybdenum mining development in New Brunswick. The federal funding targets a feasibility study update and engineering design, providing key data to support a construction decision. The project is linked to Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy, aiming to reinforce domestic supply and decrease reliance on foreign sources for materials used in energy storage and battery technology. The Sisson Project, if realized, would be a major source of tungsten and molybdenum, contributing to supply chain security and economic growth in the region.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Response to Newfoundland and Labrador Wildfires

Public Safety Canada, on August 7, authorized a Request for Federal Assistance for wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador. Minister Eleanor Olszewski announced that resources being deployed include firefighting aircraft, logistics and planning personnel, Type 3 firefighters, transportation for people and essential goods, and humanitarian support. The Government Operations Centre, Canadian Armed Forces, and Canadian Coast Guard were mobilized in coordination with provincial authorities. Wildfires have compelled some communities to evacuate and threatened critical infrastructure. The federal government is working in close communication with provincial counterparts as the situation develops.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Updates Air Quality Standards for Fine Particulate Matter

On August 9, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada published new Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) for PM2.5 in the Canada Gazette, Part I. The standards, based on consensus through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, set the 24-hour average at 23 µg/m³ and the annual average at 8.0 µg/m³ for the year 2030, replacing previous 2020 levels. The regulations take effect January 1, 2030, across the country and are expected to influence air quality management strategies, with implications for utilities and power generation facilities due to regulatory alignment on pollution control.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Canada to Reduce Price Cap on Russian Oil Imports

On August 8, the Department of Finance Canada announced plans, in coordination with the EU and UK, to lower the price cap for Russian-origin seaborne crude oil imports from US$60 to US$47.60 per barrel. The regulatory changes are set for implementation in the coming weeks. This move is part of broader G7 commitments to restrict Russian revenue streams amid ongoing conflict with Ukraine while accounting for global energy market considerations and minimizing supply chain disruptions.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Parliamentary Secretary Concludes Natural Resource Tour in Northern Quebec

Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, completed a two-day visit to Northern Quebec on August 6. Topics covered in meetings included local workforce development, regulatory processes, infrastructure needs, and Indigenous engagement in mining and forestry. Visits included Sayona’s North American Lithium mine and Chantiers Chibougamau’s facilities, demonstrating regional advancements in critical minerals and wood-based construction materials. The trip reinforced the federal government’s focus on partnerships that sustain responsible resource development.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Notice on Certification Requirements for Radio Devices

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, in a notice published August 9 in the Canada Gazette, Part I, announced the release of RSS-247, Issue 4. The specification outlines certification requirements for digital transmission and frequency hopping systems, including licence-exempt local area network devices that operate within the 902–928 MHz, 2400–2483.5 MHz, 5150–5350 MHz, and 5470–5895 MHz frequency bands. Stakeholders are invited to submit suggestions for future amendments via the online Standard Change Request form.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Media Advisory: Carbon Management Funding Announcement

Natural Resources Canada issued a media advisory on August 7 regarding Parliamentary Secretary Yasir Naqvi’s scheduled announcement on August 8 of federal funding for carbon management technologies in Ottawa. The event involved industry stakeholders and media, with further details available through the Natural Resources Canada registration process.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

NRC Seeks Comment on Technology-Inclusive Risk-Informed Guidance

On August 8, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued for public comment Draft Regulatory Guide DG-1439, "Guidance for Technology-Inclusive Risk-Informed Change Evaluation." The document endorses, with clarifications, NEI 22-05 Revision 0 and provides an alternative methodology for risk-informed changes to nuclear facilities licensed under NEI 18-04 and NEI 21-07. This guide is intended for applications pertaining to non-light water reactors and emerging reactor technologies. Comments are requested by September 8, 2025. The draft details processes for risk assessments, exemption requests, and regulatory compliance for safety analysis report changes.

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

NRC Releases Draft Guide for Environmental Qualification of Power Plant Cables

The NRC on August 7 released for comment Draft Regulatory Guide DG-1442, which proposes Revision 1 to Regulatory Guide 1.211 on the qualification of safety-related cables and field splices at production and utilization facilities. The guide endorses, with specific conditions, IEEE Standard 383-2023 for nuclear-grade cable and splice qualification, superseding prior standards from 2003. The document addresses environmental qualification requirements for cables at facilities licensed under 10 CFR Parts 50 and 52. Comments are due by September 8, 2025.

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

FERC Issues Notices on Pumped Storage Hydropower Projects

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) published notices regarding two closed-loop pumped storage hydropower projects in early August. Paradigm Shift Hydro, LLC submitted a Declaration of Intention for the Three Sisters Energy Project near Buckley, Washington, featuring three 88.3 MW turbines and groundwater-supplied reservoirs, with interventions and comments due by September 2, 2025. Separately, Paradigm Shift Hydro, LLC also filed for the Last Chance Energy Project near Alpine, Texas, comprising four 75 MW turbines and connecting transmission infrastructure.

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

NRC Final Environmental Impact Statement for Clinton Power Station License Renewal

On August 8, the NRC published the final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Clinton Power Station, Unit 1, operated by Constellation Energy Generation, LLC. The report documents findings supporting license renewal for an additional 20 years, evaluating alternatives including no-action and various replacement power options.

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

EIA Proposes Extension for Generic Feedback Collection

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced on August 8 a proposed three-year extension of its Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery, inviting public comment by October 7, 2025. The extension allows continued collection of voluntary, low-burden feedback from stakeholders, supporting service improvements across information products.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Alberta Invests in Underground Energy Storage and Battery Metals Projects

On August 5, Alberta announced $12.7 million in industry-funded support for three new projects utilizing the province’s underground resources for energy storage, lithium extraction, and carbon sequestration.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan Issue RFP for Energy Corridor Feasibility Study

Ontario, in partnership with Alberta and Saskatchewan, released a request for proposals on August 7 to study a cross-provincial energy and trade corridor, including new pipelines from Alberta to Ontario refineries and tidewater ports.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Joint Announcement Advances West-East Energy Corridor Initiative

On August 7, Alberta confirmed a memorandum of understanding with Ontario and Saskatchewan to collaborate on new pipeline, energy, and trade infrastructure development, supporting domestic supply chains and market access.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

B.C. Releases Fiscal 2024-25 Update with Infrastructure and Energy Project Investments

British Columbia’s 2024-25 Public Accounts, released August 7, report $10.4 billion in capital investment, including renewable energy project calls and funding for infrastructure to support sectors affected by climate emergencies.

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

Ontario Allocates $13 Million to Workforce Development in Critical Resource Sectors

The Ontario government announced over $13 million on August 8 for training workers in Sudbury for mining, energy, and construction trades, as part of the $2.5 billion Skills Development Fund.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Energy Vault Announces Contract with Consumers Energy for 75 MW/300 MWh Battery Energy Storage Projects in Michigan: Energy Vault to deliver utility-scale battery storage projects for Consumers Energy in Michigan.
• Flux Power and Delta-Q Technologies to Host Joint Webinar: “Electrifying Warehouse & GSE Operations: A Guide to Lithium-Ion Transition”: Companies plan webinar focused on the adoption of lithium-ion solutions for warehouse operations.
• PowerBank (NASDAQ: SUUN) Installs 4.99 MW Battery Storage System in Ontario: PowerBank completes installation of nearly 5 MW in battery storage capacity in Ontario.
• BluWave-ai Accelerates Global Energy Transition and Data Leadership with Expanded Patent Portfolio: BluWave-ai grows its clean energy patent portfolio, reflecting continued software innovation.
• Energy Transfer Announces Natural Gas Pipeline Project to Serve Growing Southwestern U.S. Markets: Energy Transfer unveils a new natural gas pipeline to enhance supply in the U.S. Southwest.
• Great News for Plug Power Investors: Plug Power issues investor update following new sector developments.
• Can Plug Power's Expansion Into the Green Energy Sector Fuel Growth?: Article reviews the implications of Plug Power's activities in green hydrogen on company outlook.
• PowerBank (NASDAQ: SUUN) Installs 4.99 MW Battery Storage System in Ontario: Further coverage on PowerBank’s Ontario battery storage deployment.

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