Noise Control

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.

Posted on November 16, 2009:

Rule 012 Stakeholder Consultation Information is listed as follows:

Any questions relating to this consultation should be directed to Mark Kavanagh @ mark.kavanagh@auc.ab.ca

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:

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