Summary

With the increase in renewable energy and the revitalization of energy infrastructure, organizations in the power and electricity sector are maneuvering in a constantly shifting competitive environment. To compete effectively, you need a strategic and innovative partner to keep you informed of industry trends, protect your interests, and manage risks while strengthening your business. BLG’s Power and Electricity Group is a top-ranked, multidisciplinary team that has the expertise to offer you advice and information on all legal and business issues, opportunities and developments facing the electricity sector.

Our Power and Electricity Group understands the business, and the regulatory and financial issues that confront industry stakeholders. We can advise you on developing, financing, constructing and operating power projects representing all major technologies – wind, solar, natural gas, nuclear, geothermal, combined cycle, cogeneration, water power, biomass, biofuels and district energy.

We have significant experience in strategic planning, financing, tax, project development, renewable energy, regulatory issues, alternative energy, clean technologies and climate change. We also have a great deal of experience with mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, procurement and complex contractual arrangements in the electricity sector. In addition, we have represented clients involved in energy issues before regulatory agencies in all provinces, as well as the National Energy Board.

Publications

Our lawyers frequently write for a variety of publications both in Canada and internationally on electricity law issues.

Rankings & Recognition

The Power and Electricity Group or its members are recognized:

  • In the top tier of the 2013 edition of Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business. In the 2012 guide, a source is quoted as saying, “Their responsiveness, the calibre of the team, and the knowledge that they have set them apart.”
  • In The 2013 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
  • In The 2012 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory
  • As a leading firm in the 2012 edition of PLC Which Lawyer?
  • As the top-listed firm in The Best Lawyers in Canada® 2013
  • Linda Bertoldi, national leader of the Electricity Markets Group, was recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada® as the "2012 Toronto Energy Regulatory Law Lawyer of the Year."
  • Linda was also recognized in the 2013 edition of Chambers GlobalThe World's Leading Lawyers for Business (Energy: Power). She is acclaimed by sources in the 2012 edition for her “knowledge, professionalism and integrity.”

Representative Work

We provide legal and business advice on the following:

  • Transmission and distribution rate design
  • Gas supply and transportation issues
  • Construction and project management agreements
  • Environmental permitting and compliance
  • Land acquisition, municipal approvals and re-zoning, title questions
  • Operation and management agreements
  • Steam sale agreements
  • Power purchase agreements
  • Energy services agreements
  • District energy
  • Integrated resource planning for natural gas services
  • Tax issues related to energy projects
  • Dispute resolution
  • Bonding, insurance
  • Retention and direction of experts
  • Government relations
  • Municipal electric utility restructuring, strategic planning and commercialization
  • First Nations
  • Water rights
  • Licensing