Law360 Canada ( November 2, 2021, 6:52 AM EDT) -- Application by the Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate for permission to appeal a decision by the Alberta Utilities Commission. The applicant was a statutory entity that, among other things, represented the interests of Alberta residential, farm and small business consumers of electricity and natural gas before proceedings of the Commission. In setting just and reasonable rates utilities could charge, the Commission had a statutory obligation to set a fair return on equity. In 2020, an intensive process was undertaken for the Commission to set a return on equity and deemed equity ratio for 2021 through a generic cost of capital proceeding. The applicant sought to suspend the proceedings for six months due to evolving market conditions. The Commission granted the request. The intensive process was never resumed, and the Commission issued a decision extending the status quo for a fair return for 2021. At the end of 2020, the Commission initiated a new process to determine the 2022 generic cost of capital proceedings. Utility companies indicated they wished to extend the 2021 parameters for 2022 without a further proceeding. The Commission agreed, finding that there was an inadequate basis to depart from the currently approved return. The Commission upheld its decision following a review. The applicant sought permission to appeal....