Chris Bystrom is a regulatory litigator based in Vancouver practicing in the energy and utility industry, and co-leader of Fasken's Global Energy and Climate Group. Frequently appearing before regulatory tribunals, Chris has extensive experience assisting clients develop and defend regulatory applications for projects and rate-related matters. Chris is praised by clients for his "exceptional aptitude for understanding business." Chris offers robust litigation credentials to clients in the power sector, with notable experience in advising on regulatory matters for utilities companies.
Chris’s project experience includes advising clients regarding environmental assessment and rate-related approvals for:
- natural gas pipeline, storage and integrity projects;
- electric transmission line, substation and generation projects; and
- thermal energy systems.
Chris has particularly broad experience advising regulated utilities with respect to rate-related matters. Chris has a deep understanding of utility and energy regulation, and his experience includes advising clients with respect to:
- cost of service and performance-based rating making;
- rate design;
- cost of capital;
- long-term resource planning;
- demand-side management;
- gas contracting plans;
- renewable natural gas (biomethane) purchases; and
- standards of conduct and open access transmission tariffs.
Chris acts the for the largest gas and electric utilities in British Columbia, as well as thermal energy and hydrogen companies.Chris is a co-leader of Fasken’s Hydrogen Energy Advisory Team.
Chris is recognized by The Best Lawyers in Canada in Energy Regulatory Law, is ranked nationally by Chambers Canada for Energy: Power (Regulatory) in Canada, and is recognized in British Columbia as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation. Chris is also ranked in the Canadian Legal Lexpert directory, being “repeatedly recommended” in Energy (Electricity), and was previously recognized as a Lexpert Rising Star: Leading Lawyer under 40 (2014).
