On April 15, 2020 and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BC Energy Regulator (Regulator) exercised its discretion under Ministerial Order 98/2020 to suspend the application timeline to extend a permit or authorization.
DATE ISSUED: July 22, 2020
EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately
On April 15, 2020 and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BC Energy Regulator (Regulator) exercised its discretion under Ministerial Order 98/2020 to suspend the application timeline to extend a permit or authorization. This suspension also postponed the expiry of a permit while the suspension was in effect.
Pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act, Ministerial Order 98/2020 remains in effect following the end of the province’s declared state of emergency. The Regulator has determined an extension of the suspension of the application timeline to September 1, 2020 is necessary to ensure an appropriate transition period. Therefore:
- The Regulator’s order suspending the application timeline and the suspension of the application timeline will terminate on September 1, 2020.
- For the purposes of calculating the period in which a permit holder may apply for an extension of a permit pursuant to section 32 (2) of the Oil and Gas Activities Act (OGAA), the period between April 15, 2020 and the termination of the Regulator’s order on September 1, 2020 will not apply.
- Due to the circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic the Regulator may consider further extension requests pursuant to section 32 (7) of OGAA. The proponent must clearly articulate how the special circumstances support the request. Extension requests are public records.
- The information provided above applies to any OGAA permit not expired prior to April 15, 2020.
- All other regulatory requirements continue to apply.
If you have any questions regarding this Industry Bulletin, please contact:
Dean Zimmer
Executive Director, Permit Adjudication
BC Energy Regulator
250 794-5278