Bennett Jones
Deirdre Sheehan advises and represents clients in relation to the regulatory and environmental aspects of electricity, oil and gas and other energy developments, including regulatory proceedings for setting rates and tariffs and facility approvals for power transmission lines, wells, pipelines, oil sands developments, upgraders, renewable generation, gas storage, and waste disposal facilities.
Deirdre has more than 15 years of experience advising and providing strategic advice to clients on federal and provincial regulatory matters in respect of energy and utility developments and associated rates and tariff issues. She regularly advises on matters related to various regulatory agencies, including before the Alberta Utilities Commission, the Alberta Energy Regulator (and its predecessor, the Energy Resources Conservation Board), the National Energy Board and other regulatory agencies and tribunals, including Alberta Environment and Parks, the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board, the British Columbia Utilities Commission, Northwest Territories Public Utilities Board, and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.
Deirdre also advises clients on all manner of Aboriginal law issues (consultation, approvals, access and compensation) related to resource development on reserves, settlements and traditional lands. Deirdre has extensive experience in environmental impact assessments required under provincial and federal laws and advises clients on regulatory and environmental matters involving the oil sands, pipelines, oil and gas, electricity, waste management and other energy areas.
She has represented clients before regulatory tribunals on matters related to facilities approvals; rates and tariffs; jurisdictional issues; Indigenous rights and consultation matters; and energy imports and exports. Before the Alberta Utilities Commission, she regularly represents regulated entities on rates and tariff matters, and on matters related to facilities approvals and their interconnections to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES).
Deirdre is also a member of the firm's Power and Renewables Industry Team.
Prior to joining Bennett Jones, Deirdre served as a law clerk to the Alberta Court of Appeal and Court of Queen's Bench.