Ahead of the 2026 rate application cycle, the OEB has released an updated version of its Filing Requirements for Electricity Distribution Rate Applications that provides guidance on several key initiatives, including: reducing regulatory burden for very small utilities (those with fewer than 5,000 customers); identifying the benefits and costs of Distributed Energy Resources (first phase of the Benefit-Cost Analysis Framework); promoting the use of non-wire solutions; and rate-making policies for utility consolidations.