At Richards Buell Sutton LLP, our approach to legal issues is based on our clients' strategic objectives. It is our priority to understand your business requirements, the unique legal environments in which you operate, and what motivates you. Our goal is to develop innovative, proactive solutions customized to meet your immediate and longer term legal needs. While we are an established law firm pushing 140 years old, our lawyers are constantly training themselves and strengthening their knowledge about industry and developing trends. Richards Buell Sutton LLP is passionate, dedicated, and committed to our clients and have been since 1871.
April 29,2010
Clean Energy Act to give Independent Cleantech Power Producers more ice-time
The British Columbia government introduced the Clean Energy Act into the legislature yesterday. A full copy of the first reading of the Act is available here and the associated press release can be found here.
Some highlights of the proposed legislation include:
- the merging of the BC Transmission Corporation (BCTC) back into BC Hydro. The BCTC was previously separated from BC Hydro in 2002 in order to establish independent generation and transmission system operators;
- the installation of interactive smart meters into private residences by the end of 2012 and eventually the establishment of a smart electricity grid which could ultimately facilitate the implementation of more variable electricity rate schemes. For example, rates might fluctuate during peak and off-peak hours or peak and off-peak times of year;
- the ability to establish a feed-in tariff program which could enable electricity users (even private home-owners) to sell power back into the provincial grid; and
- a requirement that BC Hydro establish a standing offer program which in essence would obligate BC Hydro to purchase electricity from many eligible renewable energy providers.
While much of the detail of the above programs will need to be prescribed by regulation, the standing offer program appears to provide a significant opportunity for emerging companies in the renewable energy field to get into the game and sell their wares. For further information on Cleantech, contact Sharon White or Christopher Lennon.
Recent Articles/Publications
- MlABC ANNUAL LEGAL REPORT - 2009: Annual General Meeting - by Brenda Lightbody and Mark Baron of Richards Buell Sutton LLP [with the helpful assistance of Michael Shane of Richards Buell Sutton LLP] LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ...
Construction Law
Employment Law
Insurance Law
- The Law on Settlement Anything but Settled, April 2010
- Never Forget the Basics, February 2010
- BCCA Rules on Disclosure of Privileged Documents, October, 2009
- Chinese Drywall: The Next Wave of Claims?, August, 2009
Intellectual Property Law
Personal Injury
- Working with Facebook in personal injury actions by Nicole Mangan - This article originally appeared in the Dec 18, 2009 issue of the Lawyers Weekly published by LexisNexis Canada Inc.
Securities