What Works? Identifying and scaling up successful innovations in Canadian energy regulatory decision making

Abstract

Ongoing innovation is needed in energy regulatory decision-making in Canada. Important broad drivers are the evolving social and values context, the need for operational decision-making efficiency, economic and market interests, rapid technological change, and demands for communication and stakeholder engagement, as well as policy uncertainty affecting each of these. As Canadian energy regulators take action and introduce innovative processes, there are benefits, barriers, and tradeoffs. At the same time, key success factors may influence what works in innovations in Canadian energy regulatory decision-making. This study focused on quasi-judicial energy regulators and examined the following two questions: 1. How might formal policymaker-regulator interactions be strengthened while maintaining regulatory independence?; 2. What innovative mechanisms support meaningful regulatory agency public engagement processes? To answer these questions, we conducted interviews with senior executives representing regulatory and stakeholder organizations that created, implemented, use, or are affected by innovations in policymaker-regulator interactions or regulatory public engagement processes. Results may be useful to regulators in planning, implementing, or evaluating innovative practices.