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The OEB has begun the implementation of its 10-point Action Plan (the Plan), part of its September 2024 Report Back to the Minister on Intervenors and Regulatory Efficiency (the Report). Both the Plan and Report are aligned with the 2024 Minister’s Letter of Direction, which emphasizes regulatory efficiency to enable growth as a priority for the OEB. Specifically, the Plan aims to enhance adjudicative excellence, lower costs for consumers and reduce regulatory burden.

The OEB has issued an invitation to comment on proposed amendments to the Rules of Practice and Procedure relating to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in preparing filings, something that is not currently accounted for in the Rules.

The OEB has launched a consultation to engage stakeholders in assessing how the Renewed Regulatory Framework for Electricity (RRFE) structure for multi-year planning and rates affects utility spending patterns and the capitalization of assets. This analysis aims to enhance the OEB’s regulatory oversight of spending trends and capitalization policies in Ontario’s electricity sector. This review reflects the OEB’s commitment to improving cost assessment models and strengthening regulatory frameworks.

The OEB has launched a consultation to review the use of total cost benchmarking to assess the overall cost performance of rate-regulated electricity distributors. This consultation is aimed at renewing the 2013 benchmarking methodology which is expected to incent distributors towards better productivity. Stakeholder feedback will also inform the OEB’s consideration of updates to the components of the X factor in the I-X formulation.