Gas Distribution Access Rule (GDAR)

Case number
EB-2008-0313
Launched
Sector
Natural Gas
Status
Archived
Details

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. The GDAR establishes fundamental principles for access to distribution services and standard business practices on matters that include billing options and service transaction requests. The Board's authority to make this rule arises from subsections 44(1)(b) and 44(1)(d) of the OEB Act.

THE RULE

 

GDAR Advisory Commitee & EBT Standards Working Group

In its Decision and Order dated November 15, 2005, the Board approved the form of the Service Agreement, including the EBT Standards Appendix, to be used by gas vendors and gas distributors. Board staff was directed to promptly convene the Advisory Committee contemplated in the EBT Standards Appendix. At its initial meeting on December 15, 2005 the Advisory Committee established a 2006 GDAR EBT Standards Working Group. The Working Group began meeting in January 2006. The Working Group established a sub-group, Transport Protocol Sub-Group, which also began meeting in January 2006.

Advisory Committee Meetings

 

2006 GDAR EBT Standards Working Group

 

Transport Protocol Sub-Group

The Initial Rule

Dec 11, 2002 - The Board made the Proposed Gas Distribution Access Rule.

 

Updates
Updates
Date Issue / Document
July 17, 2009

The Board issued a Notice of Termination in Proceeding EB-2008-0313, terminating the notice and comment process on proposed amendments to the Gas Distribution Access Rule related to security deposits.
January 9, 2009

The Board has received the following comments on proposed amendments to the Gas Distribution Access Rule related to security deposits.
October 8, 2008

The Board gave notice of proposed amendments to the Gas Distribution Access Rule (GDAR) to provide a standardized regulatory framework for the collection and administration of security deposits by gas distributors (proceeding EB-2008-0313).
December 11, 2007

The Board issued amendments to the Gas Distribution Access Rule (GDAR) to eliminate the need for gas distributors to accommodate a bill-ready form of gas distributor-consolidated billing as of January 1, 2008. In addition, the Board issued a letter giving notice of the associated amendments to the Service Agreement which also provides a form of Amending Agreement to the Service Agreement in order to facilitate implementation of the amendments by gas distributors and marketers that have already signed Service Agreements.
July 16, 2007

The Board issued a Notice of Proposal to Amend the Gas Distribution Access Rule.
November 15, 2006

The Board issued a Notice of Amendment to a Rule amending the Gas Distribution Access Rule.
August 18, 2006

The Board issued a Notice of a Proposal to Amend the Gas Distribution Access Rule to amend section 1.4.3.
June 16, 2006

On March 27, 2006 the Board issued amendments to the Gas Distribution Access Rule that implement Service Quality Requirements for Ontario’s natural gas distributors.
March 27, 2006

The Board issued amendments to the Gas Distribution Access Rule that implement Service Quality Requirements for Ontario's natural gas distributors.
March 9, 2006

The Board issued a Notice of Amendment to a Rule that provides for amendments to the Gas Distribution Access Rule (GDAR) which specify implementation dates for certain sections of the GDAR in accordance with the Board's November 15, 2005 Decision and Order.
December 9, 2005

The Board has issued a Notice of Amendment to a Rule that proposes amendments to the GDAR in accordance with the November 15, 2005 Decision and Order. The amendments specify dates on which certain sections of the GDAR will come into force.
November 15, 2005

The Board has issued a Decision and Order under the Gas Distribution Access Rule (RP-2000-0001) addressing the requirement in section 3.2.1 of GDAR for the development of a Board-approved form of Service Agreement, and the development and implementation of an electronic business transaction system, which section 4.7.1 of GDAR contemplates may be mandated by the Board.

For information purposes, the Board is also posting a Markup Version of the Service Agreement and the EBT Standards Appendix to the Service Agreement to show changes from the Board Staff Proposals of those documents.
September 13, 2005

The Board has issued a Procedural Order requesting comments on a staff Proposal for the Electronic Business Transactions (EBT) Standards Appendix to the Service Agreement under the Gas Distribution Access Rule (RP-2000-0001), in accordance with the Board’s Decision and Order issued May 9, 2005.
July 18, 2005

The Board has issued a Procedural Order requesting comments on a Board Staff Proposal for a Service Agreement under the Gas Distribution Access Rule (RP-2000-0001), in accordance with the Board’s Decision and Order issued May 9, 2005.
May 9, 2005

The Board announced that it will work with the natural gas sector to implement the Board’s Gas Distribution Access Rule. This decision comes after natural gas distributors and marketers were unable to agree on the terms of a Service Agreement and the supporting business / transaction standards required by the Rule. The Service Agreement outlines the entire relationship between natural gas distributors and marketers, including switching suppliers, billing and settlements.
February 13, 2004

Gas industry stakeholders in the GDAR Working Groups have raised a number concerns regarding implementation of the Rule. In order to facilitate implementation of the Rule, the Board directs gas distributors to submit their proposed form of Service Agreement to be offered to gas vendors. As well, the Board proposes to postpone implementation of the Rule to respond to industry participants concerns. The Board also proposes to exempt gas distributors from the requirement to accommodate the vendor consolidated billing option until there is a request to end the exemption.