Energy
- Overview
- Who To Contact
- Representative Matters
- Recent Developments
Participants in Ontario’s energy sector face complex regulation and require multi-dimensional legal advice that is attuned to the unique challenges and opportunities in that industry. Our dedicated counsel, many with decades of experience, can support you in any energy issue you may face, whether arising from M&A activity among local distribution companies, building a renewable energy project or appearing before the Ontario Energy Board.
The Aird & Berlis Energy Group is a diverse team of lawyers from our corporate/commercial, regulatory, environmental, litigation, real estate, municipal and land use planning, corporate finance, financial services, intellectual property and tax groups, and is well equipped to advise clients on a broad spectrum of issues.
The Energy Law Group includes experts in:
- Electricity distribution
- Gas distribution
- Corporate governance
- Generation
- Cogeneration
- District energy
- Hydrogen and RNG
- Geothermal and geo-exchange
- Conservation and demand-management
- Emissions trading
- Power transmission
- Submetering
- Financing
- Corporate structures
- Joint ventures
- Outsourcing
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Consumer contracting
Our team has a comprehensive corporate and regulatory knowledge of Ontario’s electricity and gas industries. We are broadly recognized as experts by the energy law community, including the Ontario Energy Association, distributors, transmitters, generators, municipalities, financial institutions and other energy market participants.
We advise clients involved in energy projects in Canada and internationally, representing producers, brokers, industrial users, utilities, developers, governments and lenders. Our clients are involved in alternative energy projects such as wind power, solar, RNG, hydrogen and biofuel, as well as more traditional forms of energy. We work with private and public sector clients to assist with the strategic planning necessary to navigate the complex regulatory environment faced in the development of significant infrastructure.
We advise a wide range of clients, including the major distributor of natural gas in Ontario, whom we advise on regulatory matters. In addition to our work before the Ontario Energy Board, Aird & Berlis has also acted for energy sector clients in respect of applications before the Federal Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada. We have a long history of successfully litigating in matters involving licences and other contract disputes, patent infringement and validity issues and trade secret cases for clients in the energy sector.
Through the firm’s affiliation with Interlaw, an international association of independent law firms, the Aird & Berlis Energy Group is part of the Interlaw Energy Special Business Team, representing legal experts in the energy field from around the world.
In 2022, Ron Clark updated and added to our firm’s leading text Ontario Energy Law: Electricity (2nd Edition), which provides background on the dynamics between government, regulators and regulated entities to enable readers to understand the way electricity is regulated in the province.
Contacts
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Ron loves the challenge of operating a practice at the intersection of corporate/commercial, energy and municipal law.
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As an experienced litigator and commercial lawyer, Dennis’ clients trust his judgement on pressing energy, environmental and transportation law ...
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David is dedicated to understanding his clients’ businesses and creates and implements solutions to advance their objectives.
Group Members
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Affiliated Independent Counsel
Representative Matters
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SPARQ Systems Completes Brokered Private Placement
SPARQ Systems Inc. (TSXV:SPRQ), a renewable energy company that designs and manufactures next generation single-phase microinverters for residential and commercial solar electric applications, complet... -
Pollitt & Co. Leads Brokered Private Placement of SPARQ Systems Inc.
Pollitt & Co. led the $12.4 million brokered private placement of SPARQ Systems Inc. (TSXV:SPRQ), a renewable energy company that designs and manufactures next generation single-phase microinverters f... -
Abraxas Power Corp. Completes Private Placement, Bolstering Commitment to Energy Transition
On January 25, 2024, Abraxas Power Corp. (“Abraxas”) completed its private placement of common shares. Abraxas is a global renewable energy developer whose team has extensive experience in leading, fi... -
Aird & Berlis Acts for the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development in its Winning Bid for Volkswagen Gigafactory
The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade successfully bid for Volkswagen’s first overseas gigafactory, which will be built in St. Thomas. -
Canada Infrastructure Bank Closes $100 Million Financing With Ameresco for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects in Canada
On March 31, 2023, Canada Infrastructure Bank closed a $100 million credit facility with Ameresco BRI Carbon Reduction LP (a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameresco, Inc.). Ameresco provides energy effici... -
Enery Power Holding GmbH Acquires All Renewable Energy Operating Assets of Jade Power Trust in Romania
Enery Power Holding GmbH, an Austrian-based renewable energy company, acquired all the renewable energy operating assets of Jade Power Trust (TSXV:JPWR.UN) in Romania for €71 million ($98 million) on ... -
Brantford Power and Energy+ Merge to Form GrandBridge Energy
On May 2, 2022, Brantford Energy Corporation and Cambridge and North Dumfries Energy+ Inc. merged to form GrandBridge Corporation, the shareholder of GrandBridge Energy Inc., GrandBridge Group Inc., a... -
SPARQ Systems Inc. Completes Its Qualifying Transaction With and Reverse Takeover of MJ Innovation Capital Corp.
SPARQ Systems Inc., a solar energy solutions company, completed its qualifying transaction with and reverse takeover of MJ Innovation Capital Corp. (TSXV:MSMJ.P) on December 31, 2021. In connection wi... -
Energy+ Closes $55 Million Offering of Unsecured Debentures
On August 10, 2020, Energy+ Inc. closed a $55 million offering of 2.968% senior unsecured debentures due August 10, 2060. -
Veridian Corporation and Whitby Hydro Complete Merger
On April 1, 2019, Veridian Corporation and Whitby Hydro Energy Corporation amalgamated to form Elexicon Corporation, and their subsidiaries amalgamated to form a single regulated electricity distribut...
Recent Developments
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EnergyInsider
Enhancing Ontario’s Electricity Future: Insights and Recommendations From the Standing Committee on Public Accounts
On May 28, 2024, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario published a report on the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor General of Ontario. -
EnergyInsider
Ontario to Reduce EV Charging Rates With Charger Discount
By reducing electricity costs for EV charging stations, especially in areas with lower demand for EV charging services, the government hopes to encourage the expansion of charging infrastructure. -
EnergyInsider
Amendments to Competition Act Increase Consequences for Greenwashing
The consequences associated with making unsubstantiated climate-related claims in Canada increased on June 20, 2024, when Bill C-59 received royal assent. -
Article
Ontario Does Away With Registration on Title of PPSA Notices of Security Interest in Consumer Goods
Financiers of consumer goods will no longer be able to register their PPSA security interests on title to the properties where such consumer goods are installed as fixtures. -
EnergyInsider
Creation of a Distribution System Operator Model for Ontario LDCs: Opportunities, Challenges and Next Steps
Ontario’s electricity system is changing significantly, with local distribution companies ("LDCs") at the forefront. For the first time in decades, Ontario expects substantial load growth due to elect... -
EnergyInsider
Lessons from Coffee Pods: The Importance of Accurate Reporting Under Canada’s New Anti-Slavery Law
A recent Canadian case involving Keurig coffee pods was found to include false reporting on environmental measures, providing a lesson in the importance of truth and accuracy. -
EnergyInsider
Ontario to Offer New Lower EV Charging Rates to Charging Station Owners
The Ontario Energy Board has been tasked by the Ontario government to explore options for an Electric Vehicle Charger Discount Electricity Rate to support the adoption of electric vehicles. -
EnergyInsider
Estoppel by Convention: The Ontario Court of Appeal’s Latest Take on a Relatively Rare Form of Estoppel and the Implications for Contracting Parties
The Ontario Court of Appeal’s August 7 decision in Grasshopper Solar Corporation v. Independent Electricity System Operator serves as a cautionary reminder that the certainty of contractual terms will... -
EnergyInsider
IESO Releases 2024 Annual Planning Outlook
On March 19, 2024, the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) released its Annual Planning Outlook (APO) looking at Ontario’s electricity system needs for 2025-2050. -
EnergyInsider
Ontario Energy Board Announces Oral Hearing to Review Cost of Capital
On March 6, 2024, the Ontario Energy Board issued a Notice of Hearing announcing its intention to hold an oral hearing to review the cost of capital that rate-regulated electricity and gas utilities a... -
Firm News
Aird & Berlis Recognized in 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory has recognized 62 partners at the firm as leading lawyers across 37 different practice areas. Aird & Berlis was also recognized at the firm level across 16 differe... -
EnergyInsider
Canada’s Bill S-211: How to Comply with New Reporting Obligations on Prevention of Forced and Child Labour
Along with certain federal government institutions and ministries, certain private sector “entities” that meet the criteria set out in the Act will also be required to comply with its reporting obliga... -
Firm News
Aird & Berlis Recognized in Chambers Global Guide 2024
Aird & Berlis has been recognized at the firm and individual levels in the 2024 edition of the Chambers Global Guide. The firm was recognized as a leader in the areas of Tax and Restructuring/Insolven... -
EnergyInsider
OEB Seeks Input on Review of Electricity Distributor Merger Process
On February 8, 2024, Ontario Energy Board (OEB) staff issued a Discussion Paper titled Evaluation of Policy on Utility Consolidations. The Discussion Paper is an important step in the OEB’s Evaluation... -
EnergyInsider
New Clean Energy Tax Credits Bolster Case for Hydropower Investment
This past year has included significant news about tax incentives and other financial developments designed to facilitate investments in less-carbon-intensive electricity generation in Ontario. -
EnergyInsider
Report of the Electrification and Energy Transition Panel: Summary and Comments
Commissioned by the Minister of Energy in April 2022, the report outlines a strategic road map for Ontario’s transition to a clean energy economy.