Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) Implementation
Details
The OEB implemented the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), a program to provide ongoing, and on-bill, rate assistance for low-income electricity consumers in Ontario. The program was made available on January 1, 2016. Read more about the initial design phase of the OESP .
The OEB worked with the Ministry of Energy, the IESO, electric utilities, unit sub-metering providers, low-income consumer advocates, social agencies and Indigenous representatives to facilitate a smooth program implementation.
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Related Information:
OESP Working Group Members:
Electricity Distributors’ Association
EnerCare
Enersource
Festival Hydro
Horizon Utilities
Hydro One
Hydro Ottawa
London Hydro
Independent Electricity System Operator
Lakeland Power
Low-Income Energy Network
Neighbourhood Information Post
Ministry of Energy
North Bay Hydro
Toronto Hydro
PowerStream
Veridian Connections
Updates
Updates
Date
Issue / Document
July 7, 2016
The OEB has issued a Guideline for electricity distributors and unit sub-meter providers (utilities) with respect to the delivery of the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP).
October 29, 2015
The OEB has issued final amendments to the Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements to support monitoring and evaluation of the OESP.
October 8, 2015
The OEB has issued final amendments to the Distribution System Code, the Unit Sub-Metering Code, the Retail Settlement Code, the Standard Supply Service Code for Electricity Distributors, and the Gas Distribution Access Rule to support the implementation of the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP).
September 30, 2015
The following written comments were received on the OEB’s proposed code amendments.
September 14, 2015
The OEB has issued, for stakeholder comment, proposed amendments to the Distribution System Code (DSC), the Unit Sub-Metering Code (USMC), the Retail Settlement Code (RSC), the Standard Supply Service Code for Electricity Distributors (SSSC), and the Gas Distribution Access Rule (GDAR) pursuant to sections 45 and 70.2 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 .
The purpose of the proposed code amendments is to support the implementation and ongoing operation of the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP).
August 10, 2015
The OEB has issued instructions outlining the self-certification process and requirements for distributors and sub-meter providers.
March 30, 2015
Webinars were held for utilities and LEAP social agency partners, to provide preliminary information about the program following the announcement.
March 26, 2015
The Minister of Energy today announced the Ontario Electricity Support Program.
OEB Materials:
Minister’s news release:
* IMPORTANT: The OEB had originally recommended the recovery of costs in the form of a fixed charge applied to low-volume customers , while other customers like businesses and manufacturers would pay a volumetric charge.
The Minister has directed the OEB to implement a fully volumetric charge applied at an equal rate to all rate classes .
