Status of applications - case schedules

Performance Standard
The columns titled “Performance Standard” provide the OEB’s performance standards for processing applications, including the expected date of issuance of the OEB’s decision.

Case Schedule
The procedural steps and timelines noted under the columns titled “Case Schedule Days Elapsed” were determined by OEB staff based on the OEB’s performance standard and experience with similar types of applications. The timelines noted under the column “Case Schedule Date Planned” have not been approved by the Panel and are included to illustrate the timing of the assumed subsequent procedural steps and should not be understood as indicating that decisions have been made about procedural steps – those decisions are reflected in Procedural Orders issued from time to time in the proceeding and will then appear under the column “Case Schedule Date Approved”.

Below are some general points to assist in understanding the case schedules:

• Once an application is filed, the first step is a completeness review of the application.
  • The performance standard for issuance of a “Completeness Letter” is 14 calendar days from the date of filing of the application.
  • The date of issuance of the Completeness Letter is the date on which the OEB’s performance standard for total cycle time (days elapsed to issuance of the OEB’s final decision) starts to run. 
• Procedural Order No. 1 typically sets out the procedural steps for the proceeding at least up to the initial interrogatory phase. 
• Further Procedural Orders may be issued from time to time adding and/or revising procedural steps and timelines.
  • For example, the OEB Panel of Commissioners assigned to the case may decide to have an oral hearing when one might not have been contemplated at the outset.
• Final decisions are typically issued on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The target date for issuance of a final decision is based on the total cycle time performance standard for a given application type (for example, 230 days for a cost-based rate application that involves an annual revenue requirement of less than $500 million).
• The Rate Order and Cost Awards process, as applicable, are not shown on the schedules. The process steps and timelines, if applicable, will be communicated in the OEB Decision.

OEB proceedings for a given type of application typically follow similar procedural steps. However, each application is unique. Fewer or additional procedural steps may occur than had been anticipated. Similarly, more or less time may be required to complete a particular procedural step. Notes are included on the schedules as required to explain the status of the proceeding, the implications of a given Procedural Order or other case-specific information.

The schedule will be updated as required as the proceeding evolves, and the schedule will indicate when it was last updated. Parties and other interested stakeholders should always refer to the electronic file in the OEB’s Regulatory Document Search for the most recent case information.