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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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... -
Guelph Hydro and Alectra Complete Amalgamation
On January 1, 2019, following extensive community engagement and approval by Guelph City Council and the Ontario Energy Board, the City of Guelph, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Guelph Municipal... -
Vineland Power Inc. Successful in Another Wind Appeal
Vineland Power Inc. (Vineland) was successful at a recent appeal before the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal of Vineland’s amended Renewable Energy Approval. The decision in Fairfield v. Director...
Recent Developments
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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. -
Firm News
Aird & Berlis Recognized in The Legal 500 Canada 2024
Aird & Berlis is proud to be recognized by The Legal 500 Canada as a leading firm across 12 different practice areas. -
Event
Post-Pandemic Return to Office: Addressing Remote Work and Accommodation Challenges
- 01:00 PMIn this webinar, our lawyers will delve into the issue of remote work, effective performance management, and the nuances and challenges surrounding constructive dismissal. Don’t miss this opportunity ... -
Firm News
2023 Edition of Doing Business in Canada Now Available!
Aird & Berlis is pleased to present the 2023 edition of Doing Business in Canada. This publication was developed to provide a general overview of Canadian federal and Ontario law, and is intended for ... -
Firm News
91 Aird & Berlis Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024
Aird & Berlis is proud to announce that 91 members of the firm were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada. The firm is recognized across 44 practice ... -
Firm News
Aird & Berlis Recognized in 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory has recognized 51 partners at the firm as leading lawyers across 33 different practice areas. Aird & Berlis was also recognized at the firm level across 15 differe... -
News Item
Aird & Berlis Recognized in the Chambers Global Guide 2023
Aird & Berlis is pleased to announce it has been recognized at the firm and individual level in the 2023 edition of the Chambers Global Guide. The firm was recognized as a leader in the areas of Tax a... -
EnergyInsider
OEB Staff Provide Guidance About Continuing Customer Eligibility for ICI Program After CDM Reduces Customer Demand
A new bulletin provides guidance to Ontario electricity distributors (LDCs) and consumers about when consumers can continue to qualify for the Industrial Conservation Incentive (ICI) even where their ... -
EnergyInsider
OEB Issues Guidance About Generic Proceedings
On December 13, 2022, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) issued a Generic Hearings Protocol, setting out the factors that the OEB will consider in determining whether an issue should be determined through... -
EnergyInsider
IESO Releases Pathways to Decarbonization Report
In a Pathways to Decarbonization report released by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) on December 15, 2022, at the request of Ontario’s Minister of Energy, the IESO found that a morat...