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.

Dates: 2025-06-15 to 2025-06-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📱 Public Officials' Social Media
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Senate Reviews Bill C-5 and Bill C-4: Scrutiny on Trade, Infrastructure, and Energy Laws

The Senate held a detailed session on Bill C-5, presented by ministers Dominic LeBlanc and Rebecca Alty, which seeks to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act. The bill aims to speed up infrastructure projects, support domestic trade, and strengthen Indigenous involvement in project development. Discussion involved queries into the bill’s exemption from normal parliamentary scrutiny, its effects on language rights, and whether environmental safeguards will be diluted. Senators also noted concerns over the expedited legislative process, lack of detailed budget plans, and whether Indigenous consultation processes were sufficient. LeBlanc said that the government intends to ensure transparency and work in partnership with provinces, while Alty addressed the focus on Indigenous rights and engagement. Separately, Bill C-4, intended to improve affordability through tax cuts and measures for housing, was defended by Minister Champagne as fiscally responsible but was challenged by some senators on its impact on low-income households and data privacy. Political support for Bill C-202, which would protect supply-managed sectors in upcoming trade negotiations, also featured in this session.

Sources: Transcripts: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Federal Investment in Indigenous-Owned Microgrid Project to Reduce Diesel Reliance in Yukon

The Canadian government announced more than $28.6 million in joint funding with the Yukon government and First Kaska Utilities LP for the Sādę Solar Initiative in Watson Lake, an Indigenous-led project. The initiative will deliver a 2.85MW solar generation facility paired with a battery energy storage system, connecting to the existing local micro-grid, now mainly diesel-powered. The project will be staged to ensure continuous grid stability and accommodate power fluctuations. Upgrades include site preparation, installation of solar panels, and access road improvements for heavy construction traffic. At maximum output, the facility is projected to exceed peak community power demand, offering the potential for full generator shutdowns. The solar facility is expected to displace 24% of the community’s diesel-generated power, reducing consumption by about 1,020,300 litres and greenhouse gas emissions by 3,509 tonnes annually. The project is also anticipated to allow the Liard First Nation to generate revenue by selling excess power and to create local employment and training opportunities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Commits $6.8 Million for Flood Mapping and Adaptation

Environment and Climate Change Canada and Natural Resources Canada are investing $6.8 million in 20 projects through the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program under Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy. Of this, $3.3 million will fund nine projects to advance flood mapping science and data sharing between Canadian research bodies and government agencies, with the goal of improved risk identification and mitigation tools. Natural Resources Canada’s contribution includes $2.8 million for eight projects focused on regional flood model enhancement and expanded hazard mapping, while $750,000 targets three initiatives supporting dialogue between Indigenous knowledge holders and researchers. The projects are designed to offer better flood information to inform infrastructure planning and increase resilience of built environments, with an overall alignment to federal frameworks on risk reduction, health, conservation, and economic strength.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Energy Regulator Seeks Feedback on Emera Energy Electricity Export Application

By application dated 16 June 2025, Emera Energy Capacity (2020) Incorporated applied to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) for permission to export up to 9.6 million MWh of firm and interruptible electricity (from affiliate assets in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador) annually to the United States for a 10-year term. The CER issued procedural guidance allowing public comment and submissions until 21 July 2025, specifically seeking input regarding the effects on Canadian provinces other than those where the electricity is generated.

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

Senate Holds Committee of the Whole to Study Major Trade and Energy Legislation

Senator Tony Loffreda noted that the Senate convened as a Committee of the Whole to examine Bill C-5, which would create a statutory framework eliminating barriers to interprovincial trade in goods and services, improve labour mobility, and provide cabinet with powers to advance projects important to productivity, energy security, and competitiveness. The session included questions to Minister Freeland regarding the bill’s impact on Canadian economic productivity.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Statistics Canada Releases April 2025 Monthly Energy Transportation and Storage Survey

Statistics Canada published April 2025 data on transportation and storage of crude oil and other liquid petroleum products. The dataset offers updated information on pipeline and storage activity, delivering supply and demand insights for Canadian petroleum logistics and midstream operators.

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

US Federal GR News

EPA Proposes Major Repeal of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Fossil Fuel Power Plants

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a proposed rule to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for fossil fuel-fired electric generating units, including new and existing source performance standards under the Clean Air Act. The proposal includes removing carbon capture and storage (CCS) requirements for coal-fired units and standards for new gas turbines, citing an agency finding that GHG emissions from US fossil plants do not contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution as defined by the statute.

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

EPA Issues Far-reaching Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program Rule for 2026 and 2027

The US EPA published a proposed rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that sets volume and percentage standards for 2026 and 2027, proposes a partial waiver of the 2025 cellulosic biofuel mandate, and introduces major regulatory changes to the RFS. Key items include: total renewable fuel requirements of 24.02 (2026) and 24.46 (2027) billion RINs, a projected cellulosic RIN shortfall in 2025 triggering a partial waiver to 1.19 billion, and new requirements reducing RINs for imported renewable fuel and for renewables made from foreign feedstocks. EPA is also proposing to exclude renewable electricity (eRINs) as a qualifying fuel under the RFS and to clarify/unify equivalence value calculations for hydrotreated fuels.

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

DOE Seeks Comment on Multiple Cross-Border Electricity Export Authorizations

Centre Lane Trading Ltd. has applied for renewal of its permit from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to export electricity from the US to Canada for five years; the application asserts no adverse impact to US electricity supply sufficiency or reliability, and says Centre Lane transacts solely as a marketer and holds no transmission or generation assets. This follows similar recent filings, with comment deadlines set for July 16, 2025.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

BC Launches Pilot for Clean Electrification and Housing Densification with Smart Panel Tech

The Province and BC Hydro began a pilot project in Vancouver supporting electrification of multi-unit housing without major service upgrades, utilizing a Burnaby-made smart panel. The initiative is funded by $600,000 from the Innovative Clean Energy Fund as part of BC Hydro’s $700-million Energy Efficiency Plan.

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

NB Schedules Information Session for NB Power Review

New Brunswick will hold an open online information session regarding the review of NB Power on June 25, covering review team updates and public Q&A, with further engagement through the fall. Interim findings are expected by year-end, final recommendations by March 2026.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Québec and California Set August 2025 Joint Cap-and-Trade Emissions Units Auction

Quebec’s environment ministry and the California Air Resources Board announced a joint carbon market auction of emission units scheduled for August 20, 2025. The application period for participation closes July 21, 2025.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Ontario Launches Financial Aid for Ice Storm Recovery

Ontario introduced programs to support municipalities and small businesses recover from the March 28, 2025 ice storm, covering eligible urgent repair and cleanup costs. Applications close October 31, 2025.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta and Saskatchewan Issue Joint Statement Calling for Overhaul of Federal Energy Regulation

Premiers Smith and Moe issued a statement demanding the repeal or overhaul of the federal Impact Assessment Act and other measures, and called for new energy export corridors and removal of federal regulations on emissions, plastics, and net-zero vehicle mandates.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Environment and Climate Change Canada Opens Consultation on Coal Mining Effluent Regulations

The federal government launched a public consultation on proposed Coal Mining Effluent Regulations. The draft rules include national baseline standards for effluent quality and monitoring for all Canadian coal mines, with special provisions for the five mines in BC’s Elk Valley region. Consultation runs to August 27, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: www.canada.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

On June 18, Don Davies, MP, announced a bill proposing a national strategy to achieve 100% renewable electricity generation in Canada by 2030.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Kyle Seeback posted that transmission and local capacity upgrades are lagging and flagged added infrastructure issues for electric vehicle charging, referencing ongoing debates about grid readiness.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Greg McLean, MP, posted cost projections for public charging infrastructure and noted that the Conservatives advanced a motion to rescind the 2035 zero-emission vehicle sales mandate.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Jasraj Hallan posted alleging that comments by Mark Carney confirm that federal policies like C-69 and C-48 are blocking resource projects and driving away energy investment.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Leo Housakos posted about continued obstacles for Canadian LNG exports, stating that existing legislation continues to hamper the sector.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Why Canada’s largest battery project is an energy gamechanger: Report on impacts of major grid-scale battery commissioning in Canada.
• New technologies can reduce electrical waste as demand surges: energy expert: Industry insiders examine loss reduction and grid optimization in the face of rising demand.
• Opinion: To be an energy superpower, Canada must set aside flawed green ideology: Commentary piece discusses strategic policy priorities for Canada's energy sector.