Ian advises and represents public utilities, power marketers, and oil and gas companies in British Columbia and Alberta on regulatory requirements and proceedings, commercial transactions and Canada/United States energy trade matters.
In the area of regulatory requirements and proceedings, Ian represents clients at hearings of utility applications for approval of rate increases, long-term resource plans to meet customer needs, and tariffs. He advises on the rules of access to transportation services for electricity, oil and gas. He has also represented clients seeking exemption from economic regulation under the Utilities Commission Act.
He has in-depth knowledge of the evolving legislative requirements relating to the energy industry. In this regard, he assists clients with implementing government-mandated energy conservation and climate change initiatives, and clean power technologies. He regularly advises clients on the requirements of B.C.’s Utilities Commission Act, Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, Pipeline Act, Oil and Gas Activities Act and Water Act.
Ian advises on commercial transactions involving the purchase and sale of energy, with an emphasis on structuring transactions to meet or minimize regulatory requirements. Clients include producers and purchasers of electricity, oil and gas.
Ian also handles authorizations to trade energy between Canada and the U.S. on behalf of these clients, as well as authorizations to trade in B.C. and Alberta.
Professional Activities
- Law Society of British Columbia, Member
- Canadian Institute of Energy (B.C.), Director
- In-house Continuing Legal Education, seminar on public utility regulation, regular Instructor
Bar Admissions
- British Columbia (2000)
Education
- University of Victoria (LL.B., 1999)
- Queen’s University (B.Sc. Physical Geography, 1992)
Experience
Ian has:
- Represented a large electric utility in applications before the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval to increase rates and of long-term resource plans
- Represented a large electric utility in proceedings before the BCUC related to potential arbitrage of the utility’s low cost power by customers with their own generation capability
- Assisted an electric utility and a power marketing company in developing codes of conduct
- Represented a natural gas storage service provider in an application to the BCUC for exemption from economic regulation
- Represented an oil products shipper in proceedings before the BCUC related to a pipeline company proposal to double pipeline tolls based on diminished economic life considerations
- Assisted a B.C. power marketing company in making changes in status filings with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
News / Publications
“Chapter 3: Canada” Environmental Law and Enforcement in the Asia Pacific Rim, Hong Kong: Sweet & Maxwell Asia (2002)
Conferences
"Emerging Trends in the Alberta and B.C. Energy Markets: An Overview," 7th Annual Energy Contracts Conference, Calgary, 23–24 September 2008
3rd Annual B.C. Power Summit, Vancouver, December 6-7, 2005
