Electricity Filing Manual – Chapter 2 – Instructions to Users

2.1 Summary of International Power Line Filing Requirements
1. Table 2-1: Summary of International Power Line Filing Requirements
2. Figure 2-1: Options Under the CER Act
2.2 Regulatory Listing
1. Table 2-2: Sections of CER Act Regarding IPLs
2.3 Permit Applications
1. Table 2-3: Guide to Electricity Filing Manual by Electricity Regulations section 5 for IPLs over 50 kV
2. Table 2-4: Guide to Electricity Filing Manual by Electricity Regulations section 4 for IPLs under 50 kV

2.1 Summary of International Power Line Filing Requirements

Table 2-1 below provides a high level overview of the information requirements the CER considers applicants must file with the CER for an authorization to construct an international power line. The table outlines the main chapters and headings and their corresponding main information filing requirements.

Applicants should consider each chapter of this manual and file all the information that is of relevance to their particular project, in accordance with the nature and magnitude of the project.

Applicants are encouraged to structure their application in logically sequenced and numbered paragraphs based on the content of the information.

Table 2-1: Summary of International Power Line Filing Requirements

Table 2-1: Summary of International Power Line Filing Requirements
Electricity Filing Manual Chapter	Main Information Requirements
3. Common Information Requirements 3.1 Action Sought by Applicant 3.2 Project Applicants 3.3 Proof of Publication of Notice	A description of what CER authorization is being applied for Identity of applicant and contact information Identity of the owners and operators of the IPL in Canada, if different from the applicant A description of the owner and operator of the power systems Identity of the owners and operators of the power line outside Canada A proof of publication of notice
4. Project Description and Engineering	Provide a description of the IPL project that includes its location, all project components and activities, the project schedule and any related undertakings
4.1 Project Location	Locational information should include a description, and maps, of: The route, facility sites and any proposed ancillary facilities The terminal points and international boundary crossover point Environmental, socio-economic, and land or resource use constraints that restrict the preferred route or location of facilities Land use features which the IPL is to cross The power line outside Canada
4.2 Project Components and Activities	The description of project components and activities should include: Voltage level Number and size of conductors Description of the tower or other structures that will provide the physical support A single-line diagram identifying all the IPL facilities Discussion of engineering philosophy and principles A description of standards, practices and procedures to be used in the design, construction and operation of the IPL
4.3 Impacts to the Bulk Power system	Impacts to the bulk power system A description of the power transfer capability and the criteria for this A copy of all interconnection agreements or other agreements A description of provincial requirements and any other approvals required, including those for the power line outside Canada
4.4 Other Required Approvals and Project Schedule	A schedule showing the proposed dates for the start and completion of construction of the IPL and the power line outside Canada A description of the other approvals required, the review process and schedule applicable, and their current status
4.5. Alternatives	A description of the environmental, land-use and other criteria used to determine the proposed route and facility sites, and any alternatives A map of the alternative route and facility sites
5. Engagement	A description of any engagement or early public notification process implemented by the applicant, which should include: The principles and goals of the engagement program The design of the engagement program The results of the engagement An explanation if an engagement program was not implemented Notification of third parties Description of any adverse effects on other provinces
6. Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment	An impact assessment, completed according to the applicable federal or provincial legislation, for the construction and operation of the proposed project This should be based on the project description, provide a description of the environmental setting, elucidate any project-environment interactions and identify potential project-related environmental effects, describe the mitigative measures to be used, and evaluate the environmental and cumulative effects arising from the IPL
7. Economics	A copy of the most recent annual report of the owner and operator of the lines both in Canada and outside of Canada And alternatively, for the line in Canada, information for the Commission to determine: Evidence that the proposed IPL will be used, useful and and contribute to the Canadian public interest Description of supply, demand, load conditions Evidence of the ability to finance the IPL
8. Lands Information	Documentation on land areas and land rights For election certificates, service of notice, land acquisition process A plan or survey for the international boundary crossover point

Figure 2-1 outlines the different regulatory options an applicant should choose from before applying to the CER. The figure also sets out, under each option, the different steps for processing IPL facilities applications and the legislation, whether federal or provincial that would apply.

Figure 2-1: Options Under CER Act

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2.2 Regulatory Listing

Table 2-2 lists the sections of the CER Act and instruments issued in accordance with the CER Act that have been identified within this Manual as requiring an application to the CER with respect to IPLs.

Table 2-2: Sections of CER Act Regarding IPLs

Table 2-2: Sections of CER Act Regarding IPLs
Application Description	CER Act Sections and Legal Instruments	Guide or Appendix
International Power Line (election certificate)	259
Information Filed Respecting PPBoR and Notices	199 and 201	Guide A
Right-of-Entry Application	324	Guide B
International Power Line (permit)	248
Addition or modification of facilities	280 to 284
Deviations (for federal lines)	211
General Order for Electricity Reliability Standards	MO-036-2012	Appendix 1

2.3 Permit Applications

Permit applicants should note that the information required for CER IPL permit authorizations is stipulated in Part II of the Electricity Regulations.

As this Filing Manual is intended to set out the requirements for an election certificate, the requirements and guidance within the manual may be more extensive and detailed than necessary for a permit application. The manual should be used as a reference and potential source of guidance and applicants should apply judgment accordingly.

For example, judgment should be used where regulatory requirements logically require certain other information or details that may not necessarily be stipulated in the Electricity Regulations. For instance, where section 5 of the Electricity Regulations refer to the need for an environmental assessment report, this would necessarily require sufficient description of the project and the environmental setting to complete the report regardless whether certain details about the project or environmental setting are specifically required in other sections of the regulation. Therefore, in accordance with the nature and magnitude of the project, as well as the Electricity Regulations, applicants should file all relevant information. This filing manual strives to provide guidance to this end.

A pre-application meeting with staff at the CER is available if further guidance is desired. Please contact the CER if you wish to arrange a pre-application meeting.

To assist permit applicants for IPLs greater than 50 kV in using this filing manual as guidance, Table 2-3 below cross-references the section 5 Electricity Regulations requirements with the corresponding relevant chapter in the manual. Table 2-4 cross-references section 4 of Electricity Regulations for IPLs less than 50 kV with related sections in the manual.

As with certificate applications, applicants are encouraged to structure their application in logically sequenced and numbered paragraphs based on the content of the information. However, permit applications may also be filed according to the order and structure of section 5, Part II of the Electricity Regulations.

Table 2-3: Guide to Electricity Filing Manual by Electricity Regulations section 5 for IPLs over 50 kV

Table 2-3: Guide to Electricity Filing Manual by Electricity Regulations section 5 for IPLs over 50 kV
Part II Electricity Regulations	Electricity Filing Manual Chapter
subsections 5(a) and (b)	3. Common Information Requirements 7. Economics
subsection 5(c)	3.3 Proof of Publication of Notice
subsection 5(d)	5. Engagement
subsections 5(e) and (f)	4.1 Project Location 4.5. Alternatives
subsections 5(g), (h) and (i)	4.1 Project Location
subsection 5(j)	8. Lands Information
subsection 5(k)	3.2 Project Applicants
subsection 5(l)	7. Economics
subsections 5(m), (n) and (o)	4.2 Project Components and Activities 4.3 Impacts to the Bulk Power System
subsections 5(p), (q) and (r)	5. Engagement 4.4 Other Required Approvals and Project Schedule
subsections 5(s), (t) and (u)	6. Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment
subsection 5(v)	5. Engagement
subsection 5(w)	4.2 Project Components and Activities

Based on the nature and magnitude of the project, Applicants may wish to consult the appropriate chapter of this manual and file all the information that is of relevance to their particular project while keeping in mind that this manual generally goes further than what is required for Permit applications for IPLs over 50 kV.

Table 2-4: Guide to Electricity Filing Manual by Electricity Regulations section 4 for IPLs under 50 kV

Table 2-4: Guide to Electricity Filing Manual by Electricity Regulations section 5 for IPLs under 50 kV
Part II Electricity Regulations	Filing Manual Chapter
subsections 4(a) and (b)	3. Common Information Requirements
subsection 4(c)	3.3 Proof of Publication of Notice
subsection 4(d)	5. Engagement
subsections 4(e) and (f)	4.1 Project Location
subsection 4(g)	3.2 Project Applicants
subsection 4(h)	4.2 Project Components and Activities
subsection 4(i)	4.3 Impacts to the Bulk Power System
subsection 4(j)	6. Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment
subsections 4(k) and (l)	4.4 Other Required Approvals and Project Schedule

Date modified:: 2023-04-15

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