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: 2025-08-31 to 2025-09-06

📋 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

FedNor Allocates $1 Million for Northern Ontario Mining Innovation Expansion

Viviane Lapointe, MP for Sudbury, announced a $1,050,000 FedNor investment in Cambrian College’s Centre for Smart Mining (CSM), supporting research and training for 145 mining technology SMEs over three years. CSM will enhance research into EV powertrain testing and critical mineral extraction, aiming to accelerate adoption of automation, AI, and electric vehicle technologies in the mining sector. Year one is dedicated to scaling operations, onboarding personnel, acquiring advanced equipment, and expanding collaborations. Year two will see a broadened research portfolio and advanced technical certifications. By year three, CSM is set to operate at full capacity, targeting future growth in critical minerals and EV sectors, with long-term sustainability strategies. The initiative positions Sudbury as a leader in mining innovation and will impact local workforce development and utility-sector supply chains focused on electrification.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Minister Hodgson Set to Announce British Columbia Carbon Management Technology Investment

Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson is scheduled to announce federal funding for carbon management in British Columbia on September 8, 2025, with media participation by pre-registration. This upcoming allocation is anticipated to support emerging carbon capture and related technologies applicable to energy and power transmission sectors, with further project details to be disclosed post-announcement.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian Centre for Recovery and Resilience Established for Disaster Recovery Planning

Public Safety Minister Eleanor Olszewski and Paul Kovacs of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction inaugurated the Canadian Centre for Recovery and Resilience in Toronto. This Centre will provide communities with access to disaster recovery experts, specialized guidance, and practical resources, including risk-informed approaches for resilient infrastructure restoration. Services range from early-stage recovery planning to technical support, with tools for integrating resilience and risk reduction into reconstruction, aiming to improve grid resilience and speed business recovery post-disaster.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Environmental Protection Act: Substance Added to Domestic Substances List

The Minister of the Environment, Julie Dabrusin, issued Order 2025-87-04-02 amending the Non-domestic Substances List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, officially adding a new substance to the Domestic Substances List as of August 27, 2025. Operators in power generation or transmission using regulated substances should note compliance implications for environmental approvals.

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

Primary Energy Production Up, Secondary Output Down: June 2025 StatsCan Update

According to Statistics Canada, primary energy production rose 2.0% in June 2025, with sectoral gains in three of six areas, while secondary energy production decreased 4.8%, predominately due to reduced output of refined petroleum products. These shifts may signal evolving supply trends for Canadian utilities responsible for generation and refining operations.

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

U.S.-Japan Framework Agreement to Expand LNG Exports and Energy Collaboration

President Donald J. Trump implemented a U.S.-Japan agreement granting U.S. producers over $15 billion market access, with $7 billion annually in U.S. energy—predominantly LNG—committed by Japan. Japan pledged to increase U.S. rice imports by 75% and will recognize U.S. automotive standards. In return, the U.S. is imposing a 15% baseline tariff on most Japanese imports, with sector-specific tariffs, while Japan plans $550 billion investments in U.S. critical industries, including energy infrastructure. These trade results are likely to affect Canadian LNG competitiveness, sector export potential, and supply chain integration.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Internal Federal Pipeline Project List Surfaces, Includes Oil Infrastructure Considerations

A government list reviewed by media contains 32 potential infrastructure projects, including new oil pipelines. The projects—currently not publicly confirmed—reflect ongoing industry and government evaluation of transmission capacity expansion and investment prioritization in Canadian grid and pipeline networks.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

Mark Carney's Tariff Relief Plan Pauses Federal EV Mandate

Mark Carney introduced a plan providing tariff relief and calls for a suspension of the federal electric vehicle mandate. The measure is designed to address immediate economic and supply chain issues, with sector impacts on electric vehicle infrastructure deployment and procurement cycles.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.thestar.com

Ontario Influences EV Mandate Suspension, According to B.C. Energy Minister

B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix attributed the pause in the federal EV mandate to Ontario's advocacy. This development shifts federal alignment with provincial priorities, affecting national deployment strategies in transportation electrification.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.thestar.com

US Federal GR News

Hitachi Announces $1 Billion Investment in U.S. Grid Infrastructure, Aligning with National AI and Energy Goals

Hitachi Energy disclosed a $1 billion investment in U.S. power grid infrastructure, including $457 million toward a Virginia transformer facility. The investment is expected to support thousands of jobs and strengthen domestic manufacturing in line with President Trump’s energy dominance agenda and White House AI Action Plan. Prior federal efforts include a reported $92 billion AI and energy infrastructure investment surge in Pennsylvania. Expanded U.S. grid manufacturing capacity will facilitate power sector modernization and support utility-scale reliability amid rapidly growing AI-driven data center demand.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

FERC Summarizes Multiple Rate Filings and Grid Transmission Updates

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission published a summary of recent electric rate filings across major entities, including Idaho Power, Huck Finn Solar, PacifiCorp, Dairyland Power Cooperative, as well as updates to market-based tariffs from Eldorado Solar Project II, Sol InfraCo MT3, and Tilden Solar. SunZia Transmission LLC and others submitted amended service agreements relevant to power transmission reliability and expansion. Public comments on filings are due throughout September, with FERC’s eLibrary available for detailed document access.

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

EPA Extends Feedback Window, Announces Public Hearing on Coal Combustion Residual Deadline Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency reopened the comment period for its proposed rule on the coal combustion residual (CCR) management unit deadline until September 15, 2025. Requests for a public hearing have prompted an online event scheduled for September 12. Stakeholders can submit comments via regulations.gov, with written statements and hearing transcripts to be included in the regulatory docket. The CCR rule affects coal-fired generation facility compliance, ash disposal management costs, and operational timelines.

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

FERC Receives Rockies Express Pipeline Application for Reliability Project in Colorado

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, Cheyenne Connector, LLC, and East Cheyenne Gas Storage, LLC submitted a joint application for the Critical Energy Reliability Link Project in Colorado, proposing 160 miles of pipeline, a new compressor station, meter stations, and lease-based transport and storage capacity totaling 1.75 million Dth. The $639.6 million project intends to provide up to 100,000 Dth/day of firm transport, chiefly for Colorado Springs Utilities, with public feedback accepted through September 19 and environmental review scheduled within 90 days.

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

NRC Opens Public Comment on Combined License Review Performance for Nuclear Reactors

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking comments on a draft regulatory issue summary outlining licensing review and reporting requirements for new reactor applications under Section 207 of the ADVANCE Act. In accordance with Executive Order 14300, the review process must deliver a decision within 18 months of a new reactor application. Public comments are invited through September 18 via regulations.gov (Docket NRC-2025-0808), targeting improved review transparency for utilities pursuing nuclear expansion.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Quebec Launches $20.75 Million Infrastructure Envelope to Support Northern Mining Projects

Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina announced funding for the Enveloppe nordique initiative, supporting strategic land transport and renewable energy infrastructure for mining sector advancement in northern Quebec.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Nova Scotia Premier Criticizes Utility’s Proposed Power Rate Hike Following Data Breach

Premier Tim Houston publicly opposed Nova Scotia Power’s rate increase application, arguing that the timing is inappropriate given recent security failures.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Ontario Appoints Geoff Owen as Chair of Ontario Energy Board

Geoff Owen has been named Chair of the Ontario Energy Board, granting expanded oversight of the province's integrated energy plan and regulatory leadership.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Funds $2.2 Million in Greenhouse Energy Retrofits at Big Marble Farms

$2.2 million from Emissions Reduction Alberta will enable installation of advanced horticultural lighting at Big Marble Farms, aiming for reduced energy costs and emissions.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Premier to Promote Energy Security at U.S. Conference in Colorado

Premier Danielle Smith will meet with U.S. officials and industry in Colorado to advocate Alberta’s energy sector and strengthen bilateral collaboration in carbon capture, hydrogen, and geothermal.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Canada’s electricity crisis: Why national interest demands a national grid: Suggests increasing interprovincial electricity grid connectivity.
• Enbridge gives go ahead for two natural gas transmission projects: Enbridge approves new natural gas infrastructure expansions.
• Quebec pulls funding for Northvolt battery megafactory: Quebec government withdraws support for planned battery production facility.
• Quebec to end funding for planned Northvolt battery factory: Additional coverage of Quebec’s withdrawal from major battery factory project.
• Hitachi announces historic $1 billion USD manufacturing investment to power America’s energy future: Hitachi sets out major funding for U.S. grid transformation.
• This hidden electricity drain can have a massive impact: Investigates unnoticed sources of electricity loss in grid operations.
• P.E.I. solar energy rebate program paused due to high demand, province says: PEI’s solar rebate put on hold after program is oversubscribed.
• Mark Carney introduces tariff-relief plan that includes pause on EV mandate: Federal policy proposes halt to EV mandates in light of tariff changes.
• Ontario drove Carney’s decision to suspend EV mandate: B.C. Energy Minister Dix: Reports on the interplay of provincial interests in federal transportation electrification policy.

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