Introduction & Background

On March 24, 2009, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC or Commission) issued Rule 012 - Noise Control (Rule 012), which is applicable to noise emitted from the construction and operation of electric and natural gas utility facilities. The AUC Rule 012 evolved from the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) Directive 38 and its predecessors (ID 80-2, ID 88-1 ID 92.2, ID 94-4, and ID 99-8).

Participants in the 2008-2009 review and consultation process included Alberta Environment (AENV), Alberta Energy, National Energy Board (NEB), ERCB, acoustical practitioners, and AUC stakeholders. In that review, industry participants provided comments and requested clarification on administrative and technical matters. Technical considerations were set aside in the rollout of Rule 012 pending a future technical review.

Industries governed by Rule 012 are gas utilities as defined by the Gas Utilities Designation Regulation that currently specifies ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. and AltaGas Utilities Inc., Rule 012 also applies to the holder of an order, approval or permit issued under the Hydro Electric Energy Act (HEEA) to construct or operate a “hydro development," “power plant," “substation" or “transmission line” as defined under that act.

Since the initial rollout of Rule 012, it has become apparent that portions of the rule require clarification while others require amendment to ensure coordinated regulation of noise throughout the energy sector. This will be a two-phase project; the first phase will address administrative changes followed by a more lengthy technical review involving direct consultation with stakeholders.

Any questions relating to the process for amendments of Rule 012 can be directed to Mark Kavanagh at email:  mark.kavanagh@auc.ab.ca.

Questions related to content of Rule 012 should be directed to Jack Davis at email: jack.davis@auc.ab.ca.

Posted on December 23, 2011

Over the past nine months, the Commission has been working with stakeholders, including meetings and sub-working groups, to review the technical changes of Rule 012 – Noise Control. As a result of the review, the Commission proposed certain amendments to the rule and is now seeking comments from interested parties. Stakeholders interested in providing comments should refer to the information below:

1. Bulletin 2011-33 
2. Draft Rule 012 - Noise Control 
3. Comment matrix 

Questions related to this consultation should be directed to Raymond Lee by email at: raymond.lee@auc.ab.ca.

Posted on Sept 26, 2011

The AUC formed a Wind Turbine Working Group to deal with wind turbines issues. The group met on August 10, 2011 and the meeting summary is provided below:

1. Wind Turbine Working Group meeting summary

Posted on July 18, 2011

The AUC conducted stakeholder consultation meetings on June 28 and June 29, 2011. Links to the meeting summaries are provided below.

1. June 28, 2011 meeting summary
2. June 29, 2011 meeting summary

Posted on June 8, 2011

1. Bulletin 2011-15      

Posted on April 12, 2011

1. Bulletin 2011-13  
2. AUC Rule 12 - Noise Control  
3. AUC Rule 12 - Noise Control Comment Matrix (to accompany March 29, 2011 release of Rule 012)     

Posted on February 15, 2011

1. Bulletin 2011-07  
2. Addendum to draft revisions to AUC Rule 12 - Noise Control  
3. Responses to July 2010 participant comments on Rule 12 - Noise Control   

Posted on January 27, 2011

1. Bulletin 2011-03
2. Rule 012 Version 3 draft
3. Rule 012 Version 3 draft (redlined)

1. Bulletin 2010-36
2. Proposed technical issues being considered for revisions to Rule 012 

Posted on October 26, 2010

Rule 012 Stakeholder Consultation (phase two):

1. Bulletin 2010-28
2. Compilation of stakeholder comments to AUC Rule 012 phase 2 technical review

Posted on June 28, 2010

Rule 012 Stakeholder Consultation (phase two):

    1. Bulletin 2010-19
    2. Review process spreadsheet

 Posted on March 2, 2010

Over the past three months, the AUC staff has been working with stakeholders to complete the Phase 1 – Administrative Changes of the Rule 012 – Noise Control.

On February 23, 2010, the Commission approved the amendments to Rule 012 – Noise Control. The Rule 012 and the Summary of the Stakeholder Comments and AUC Response are listed as follows:

1. Bulletin 2010-09
2. Summary of Stakeholder Comments and AUC Response
3. Rule 012 – Noise Control

 Posted on November 16, 2009

Rule 012 Stakeholder Consultation Information is listed as follows:

1. Bulletin 2009-28
2. Administrative Changes