Archived and complete policy initiatives and consultations
The OEB carries out policy development using a number of processes including proceedings, industry task forces, stakeholder working groups and public consultation. Archived consultations are listed below. View a list of current consultations.
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Stakeholder consultation on a proposed update to the OEB’s Filing Guidelines for Ontario Power Generation (OPG), which outline filing expectations for payment amounts applications and related matters under section 78.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 (the Act).
The OEB completed a review of the standard value used to denote the electricity consumption of a typical residential customer in Ontario. The OEB determined the value will remain 750 kWh.
The OEB has prepared a draft update to the Chapter 4 Filing Requirements that will provide guidance on electricity transmission leave to construct applications and related matters under Part VI of the Ontario Energy Board Act.
Consultation to discuss how to enable implementation of a new optional Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) price plan for electricity consumers on the Regulated Price Plan (RPP).
Consultation related to proposed amendments to the Distribution System Code (DSC), the Electricity Retailer Code of Conduct, and the Retail Settlement Code (RSC) to facilitate regulatory changes to net metering and retailing that take effect July 1, 2022.
The Minister of Energy asked the OEB to report back and advise on the design(s) of an optional enhanced Time-of-Use (TOU) rate to further incent demand-shifting away from peak periods to lower-demand periods.
Consultation to facilitate the deployment and adoption of innovative and cost-effective solutions, including distributed resources, in ways that enhance value for energy consumers (FEI).
The Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines asked for the OEB’s support to implement the new COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program - Small Business (CEAP-SB) for small business and charity customers.
The Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines asked for the OEB’s support to implement the new COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) for residential customers.
Consultation on a deferral account, established in relation to the impacts arising from the COVID-19 emergency, approved for all rate-regulated utilities in the electricity and natural gas sectors and OPG.
Ontario announced its intention to further increase access to natural gas by making additional projects eligible for financial support to serve communities that are not currently connected to a natural gas distribution system.
Consultation to consider the next generation DSM framework, with a view to ensuring that the OEB’s approach remains current, responsive to energy efficiency and conservation market developments and consistent with broader government policy.
Consultation to develop a more comprehensive regulatory framework that facilitates investment and operation of DERs on the basis of value to consumers and supports effective DER integration so the benefits of sector evolution can be realized.
Consultation to identify how to remunerate utilities in ways that make them indifferent to traditional or innovative solutions, better supports their pursuit of least cost solutions, strengthens their focus on long-term value and requires them to reflect the impact of sector evolution in their system planning and operations.
Consultation to consider the merits of moving to a single annual natural gas rate application that will include both delivery-related and commodity-related rates from each rate-regulated natural gas distributor.
The Minister’s Directive to the OEB to establish a Demand Side Management (DSM) policy framework included a Mid-Term Review to align with the Mid-Term Review of the Conservation First Framework.
Policy consultation to explore and better understand certain implementation matters related to amendments to Ontario's net metering regulation, and to assess whether changes to its policies and codes should be considered.
On November 9, 2016, the Minister of Energy asked the OEB to examine and report back with information on Ontario’s retail market for gasoline and diesel fuels
Initiative to introduce requirements that Regulated Entities must follow when responding to a consumer complaint that has been received by the OEB and forwarded to the Regulated Entity for response.
On June 27, 2016, the Minister of Energy asked the OEB to examine and provide advice on options for an appropriate electricity rate (or rate assistance) for on-reserve First Nations electricity consumers.
The OEB posted a Report of the Ontario Energy Board – Updated Policy for the Lost Revenue Adjustment Mechanism Calculation: Lost Revenues and Peak Demand Savings from Conservation and Demand Management Programs.
Policy consultation to review the non-bulk electrical grid and associated business systems in Ontario that could impact the protection of personal information and smart grid reliability. (Cyber Security Framework)
Policy consultation aimed at ensuring the cost responsibility provisions for load customers in the TSC and DSC aligned and facilitated regional planning and the implementation of regional infrastructure plans.
Initiative to define a “Major Event” that will be used to normalize reliability performance data, develop reporting to evaluate a distributor’s response to a Major Event and, establish “customer specific” system reliability measures.
The OEB initiated a comprehensive policy review of miscellaneous rates and charges applied by electricity distributors for specific activities or services they provide to their customers.
The OEB initiated a consultation on distributor gas supply planning. The consultation focused on gas supply and transportation planning strategies and the risk/cost trade-offs considered in the plans.
Consultation regarding proposed amendments to the OEB’s codes, rules and other regulatory instruments applicable to electricity retailers and natural gas marketers.
The March 2014 directive to the OEB from the Minister of Energy (the DSM/CDM Directive) requires that an achievable potential study for natural gas efficiency in Ontario should be conducted every three years.
Amendments to the DSC to establish criteria to facilitate the elimination of the remaining load transfer arrangements between electricity distributors.
The Minister of Energy asked the OEB to examine opportunities to facilitate enhanced access to natural gas for rural and remote communities and businesses.
Consultation to consider whether all electricity distributors should have their licences amended to allow market rates to be charged for wireless attachments, under the same conditions as THESL.
Consultative process to examine recent developments in the North American natural gas market to better understand any potential implications for Ontario’s natural gas sector.
Amendments to the DSC to require distributors to include certain minimum requirements in their Conditions of Service in relation to unmetered load customers.
Amendments to the DSC to require a distributor to install a MIST meter on any installation that is forecast to have a monthly average peak demand during a calendar year of over 50 kW.
The Board reviewed the framework governing the participation of intervenors in applications, policy consultations and other proceedings before the Board.
Revisions to the RPP Manual to change the manner in which the variance settlement amount that consumers pay, or receive, when they exit the Regulated Price Plan is calculated.
The Advisory Committee provided the OEB with ongoing assistance on emerging smart grid issues as the OEB facilitated the development and implementation of smart grid in Ontario.
Initative to assess how the Board’s approach to the regulation of electricity distributors may affect the ability of distributors to realize operational or organizational efficiencies that benefit customers.
Amendments to the DSC to provide additional time for applicants of large embedded generation facilities that require transmission upgrades to sign a connection cost agreement with the distributor for the facility and maintain its capacity allocation.
The Minister of Energy asked the OEB to create a process for selecting the most qualified and cost-effective transmission company to develop the East-West Tie transmission line that connects Northeast and Northwest Ontario.
Consultation to promote the cost-effective development of electricity infrastructure through coordinated planning on a regional basis between licensed distributors and transmitters.
Consultation process to provide utilities and the Board with a range of approaches and supporting tools to help mitigate the effects of unavoidable and significant rate and/or bill impacts.
Consultative process to address how the OEB might create conditions which will foster the cost-effective and efficient implementation of Board-approved network investment plans.
Amendments to the Smart Sub-Metering Code and the Distribution System Code to implement the provisions of the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010 in relation to suite metering.
Amendments to the ARC for Gas Utilities and the Natural Gas RRR to reflect the ability of natural gas utilities to own and operate certain renewable and other generation facilities as well as energy storage facilities.
Consultative process to review and examine recent developments in North American natural gas supply markets to consider any potential implications for the Ontario natural gas market.
The Board issued a final determination under section 1.2.1 of the Standard Supply Service Code to mandate time-of-use pricing for regulated price plan customers.
The Board issued its “Framework for Transmission Project Development Plans” that sets out the policy for new transmission investment in Ontario, with regard to transmission project development planning.
Consultation process to assist in understanding the need for and the implications of a potential alignment of the rate year with the fiscal year for electricity distributors.
Amendments to the DSC and ARC for Electricity Distributors and Transmitters to reflect the ability of electricity distributors to own and operate certain renewable and other generation facilities as well as energy storage facilities.
Consultation process to address how the Board should determine the direct benefits that accrue to the consumers of a distributor when that distributor has incurred costs to make an eligible investment in its distribution system to accommodate a renewable energy generation facility.
Proceeding to determine a just and reasonable rate to be charged by an electricity distributor for the recovery of costs associated with an embedded generator having a nameplate capacity of 10 kilowatts or less.
The Retail Compliance Plan was created to verify that licensed electricity retailers and natural gas marketers are in compliance with their legal and regulatory obligations.
The Financial Assistance Working Group is responsible for developing guidelines relating to the delivery of emergency funding to low-income energy consumers.
In accordance with OEB requirements, electricity distributors filed quarterly reports on smart meter deployment to enable the OEB to monitor distributors’ progress in relation to the implementation of time-of-use (TOU) pricing
The role of the Conservation Working Group was to develop both a short-term (2010) and long-term framework for DSM by natural gas distributors, as it relates to low-income energy consumers.
Consultative process to determine whether current economic and financial market conditions warrant an adjustment to any of the Cost of Capital parameter values.
The Board issued Guidelines on the deemed conditions of licence regarding distribution system planning as provided for in the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009.
The OEB commenced a proceeding to determine whether certain distributors that have not otherwise been authorized to conduct discretionary metering activities should be authorized to do so.
The Board amended the RSC to clarify that the right to information belongs to the consumer and can be delegated by each consumer to his or her agent or retailer.
Consultation process to review the DSM framework and develop guidelines for DSM to be used by natural gas distributors in developing their next generation DSM plans.
Consultation process to examine issues associated with low income energy consumers in relation to their use of natural gas and electricity (LEAP, EFA).
Amendments to the DSC to simplify the process for the connection of smaller sized generation facilities that utilize a non-intermittent generation technology.
The Board initiated a consultation process to assist it in determining whether there is a need to modify the methodology for setting TOU electricity prices.
Consultation to examine the issue of cost responsibility associated with the connection of generation and load facilities to electricity transmission systems.
Consultation process regarding issues associated with the provision of service by electricity distributors and the manner in which electricity distributors apply certain charges.
The Board received a Directive from the Minister of Energy that required the Board to implement such measures as the Board considers necessary to address the issue of stray voltage as it affects the farm sector.
The Ontario Energy Board consulted with stakeholders on the development of the principles and methodology for the third generation incentive regulation mechanism (3rd Generation IRM) for electricity distributors.
Amendments that would defer the date by which geographic distributors must eliminate load transfer arrangements. The proposed amendments also outlined information geographic distributors would be required to file with respect to their plans for eliminatin
The Board issued the Smart Sub-Metering Code in order to support the regulations and impose appropriate standards on the activities of the smart sub-metering providers.
The smart price pilot was designed to help the Board better understand the degree to which Ontario consumers change their electricity consumption behaviour with smart meters.
Creation of licence conditions establishing the maximum cumulative generation capacity from net metering generators that electricity distributors must allow to be connected to the distribution system.
The OEB developed the terms and conditions for a standard offer program for small generators embedded in the distribution system that use clean or renewable resources.
The Board identified a need to review and clarify certain provisions in the Distribution System Code related to expansions, alternative bids, and enhancements. Chapter 3 of the Code, entitled Connections and Expansions, was established to encourage uniformity of approach across electricity distributors.
This review examines the implications of additional gas-fired electricity generation on the natural gas infrastructure, service offerings, and on coordination between natural gas and electricity system operators.
The 2006 Electricity Distribution Rate Handbook served as a guideline to aid electricity distributors in preparing applications for 2006 distribution rates.
The Board directed the utilities serving York Region to identify the optimal transmission and/or distribution infrastructure investment to serve York Region.
This initiative examined the principles, methodologies, filing requirements and model design in respect of new cost allocation studies for electricity distributors.
The Gas Distribution Access Rule (GDAR) relates to the conduct of gas distributors towards gas vendors, including gas marketers; and to the access to distribution services provided by distributors. Information on the GDAR EBT Standards Working Group.
A cost assessment study was undertaken to ensure a complete, fair and transparent review of all alternative cost assessment models and recommend a new model that would address the impact of both recent legislative changes on the OEB and changes in the current mix of energy market participants.
The proposed smart meter implementation plan suggested the mandatory technical requirements for smart meters and the support systems distributors would require.
Amendments to the DSC to provide greater clarity as to local electricity distribution companies’ rights and obligations with respect to customers owing money for unpaid electricity charges or for a security deposit.
Application by the CCTA for an amendment to electricity distributor licences to establish uniform terms and conditions of access to electricity distribution power poles.
The EBT Standards govern the exchange of information among automated systems to enable electricity distributors and retailers to meet the requirements of the Retail Settlement Code.
Amend the Electricity Retailer Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Gas Marketers to reflect, for example, legislative amendments such as Bills 58, 210, 23.
Facilitate the development of viable competitive markets in natural gas through review of the role of storage, transportation and the supply of commodity gas.
Request from the Minister of Energy for Hydro One Networks Inc. to submit to the Board a proposal for rebating existing, and new, metered market participants when they make alternative arrangements for the provision of meter services.
Report to the Minister with recommendations on options for delivery of demand-side management and demand response activities in the electricity sector and on the role of electricity and natural gas distributors in demand side management.
Amendments to the RSC in order to be consistent with amendments made to the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, and several changes made by the Independent Electricity Market Operator.
In June 2000, the Minister of Energy, Science and Technology issued a policy directive to the Board on the setting of rates for the distribution of electricity.