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OEB Key Initiatives
Active Proceedings, Consultations and Working Groups:
The OEB carries out policy development using a number of processes including proceedings, industry task forces, stakeholder working groups and public consultation.
Quick List
Or, browse through the full list below, arranged by area of the Board's work:
Regulatory Direction and Market Oversight
The Board plays an important role in the policy framework development for the province's energy sector. The Board has a market surveillance role to monitor how the market is working and may issue reports to the Minister on its efficiency, fairness, transparency and competitiveness. The Board also monitors its own function for efficiency, timeliness and effectiveness.
|
Year |
Project |
File No. |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Transition of Regulatory Accounting to IFRS – Consultation: To assist in the transition to International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), the Board has created a consultation regarding the Transition of Regulatory Accounting to IFRS. |
EB-2008-0104 |
| 2007-08 | Integrated Power System Plan (IPSP) Review: On August 29, 2007 the Board received from the OPA applications for review and approval of the IPSP and for the electricity procurement processes of the OPA. |
N/A |
| 2007-08 | Consultation on the Practice Direction on Cost Awards: The Ontario Energy Board (the “Board”) has initiated a consultation process on certain cost awards issues, namely, eligibility for cost awards and the adequacy of the cost awards tariff. The consultation is intended to assist the Board in determining whether there is a need to change the Board’s Practice Direction on Cost Awards on those issues. |
EB-2007-0683 |
| 2007-08 | Farm Stray Voltage: On June 22, 2007, the Board received a Directive from the Minister of Energy that requires the Board to implement such measures as the Board considers necessary to address the issue of stray voltage as it affects the farm sector. |
EB-2007-0709 |
| 2007 | Aboriginal Consultation Policy: The Ontario Energy Board (the Board) is proposing to adopt an Aboriginal Consultation Policy (the Policy). The Board is committed to ensuring appropriate consultation is carried out with respect to applications to construct new facilities where there may be an adverse effect on existing or asserted Aboriginal or treaty rights. |
EB-2007-0617 |
| 2007 | Electricity Distributors and Management of Customer Commodity Payment Default Risk: Board staff is examining the issue of large customer commodity payment default risk management by electricity distributors with a view to identifying whether risk mitigation tools that are currently available to distributors are adequate for the purpose of managing such risk and protecting ratepayers. |
EB-2007-0635 |
| 2007-2010 | Multi-year Electricity Distribution Rate Setting Plan Selection of Electricity LDCs for Rebasing: The Board has established a multi-year electricity distribution rate setting plan for the years 2007 to 2010. As part of this plan the Board will identify which electricity LDCs will be rebased for each of 2008, 2009 and 2010. The resulting rates will be the basis on which the subsequent multi-year incentive regulation mechanism will be applied. |
EB-2006-0330 |
| 2007-2010 | Comparison of Ontario Electricity Distributors Costs: This project is part of the Board's evolution of the work that was started in 2006 EDR under the Comparator and Cohort initiative. Board staff is undertaking a two-stage consultation process on comparison of distributor costs. The findings will assist the Board in the 2008-2010 rebasing proceedings and in the development of the 3rd generation incentive regulation mechanism. |
EB-2006-0268 |
| 2006 | Ontario Power Generation Inc. - Determining Payment Amounts for Prescribed Generation Assets: The Board’s authority to determine payment amounts for the prescribed generation facilities commences on April 1, 2008. The Board has initiated a process to establish the methodology by which those payments will be determined and ultimately to determine the payment amounts. |
EB-2006-0064 |
| 2007 | Ontario Energy Board's 2008-2011 Business Plan Consultation: This 2008-2011 Business Plan projects our strategic and business outlook through to the end of fiscal year 2011 |
N/A |
| 2005 | Review of Electricity Deferral and Variance Account Balances: Bill 23 legislative requirements under section 78 of the OEB Act for deferral and variance accounts came into effect on January 1, 2005 with respect to electricity. The legislation requires the Board to issue an order at least once every three months for electricity commodity-related variance and deferral accounts to determine whether and how amounts recorded in such accounts shall be reflected in rates. |
N/A |
| 2005 | Natural Gas Forum (NGF) Implementation: The Board undertook a comprehensive sector review to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of natural gas regulation in Ontario. The conclusions of the resulting report are to be implemented over the next several years through public processes that include stakeholder participation. |
N/A |
| 2004-2005 | Conservation and Demand Management (CDM): On May 31, 2004, the Minister wrote to electricity distributors pursuant to section 79.6 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 to allow them to proceed to the Ontario Energy Board with applications to establish deferral accounts within which to track expenditures on conservation and demand management initiatives. |
N/A |
| 2004-2005 | Smart Meter Initiative: Provide an implementation plan for the achievement of the Government of Ontario’s smart meter targets to the Minister by February 15, 2005. |
RP-2004-0196 |
Licences, Codes and Rules
The Board develops regulatory policy to enable it to deliver its mandate through the use of its regulatory instruments and interpretation of its legislated objectives.
|
Year |
Project |
File No. |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Consultation on Energy Issues Relating to Low Income Consumers: The Board has initiated a consultation process to examine issues associated with low income energy consumers in relation to their use of natural gas and electricity. |
EB-2008-0150 |
| 2008 | Distribution System Code Proposed Amendment: The Ontario Energy Board is proposing amendments to the Distribution System Code that would simplify the process for the connection of smaller sized generation facilities that utilize a non-intermittent generation technology. |
EB-2008-0102 |
| 2008 | Storage and Transportation Access Rule (STAR): The Board stated it would initiate a process to develop rules of conduct and reporting related to storage and noted that there was merit to the development of a Storage and Transportation Access Rule ("STAR"). |
EB-2008-0052 |
| 2008 | Transmission Connection Cost Responsibility Review: The Board has initiated a consultation process to examine the issue of cost responsibility associated with the connection of generation and load facilities to electricity transmission systems. |
EB-2008-0003 |
| 2008 | Electricity Service Quality Regulation: The Ontario Energy Board (the “Board”) is initiating a consultation process to assist it in the development of a service quality regulation regime for electricity distributors. |
EB-2008-0001 |
| 2007 | Electricity Distributors: Customer Service, Rate Classification and Non-Payment Risk: The Board is initiating a consultation process regarding issues associated with the provision of service by electricity distributors and the manner in which electricity distributors apply certain charges. |
EB-2007-0722 |
| 2007 | Affiliate Relationships Code for Electricity Distributors and Transmitters: Board staff has been engaged in research regarding the Board’s Affiliate Relationships Code for Electricity Distributors and Transmitters (“Electricity ARC”), and affiliate relationships codes (“ARCs”) from other jurisdictions. |
EB-2007-0662 |
| 2006-2007 | Combined Hearing for Two Connection Procedures, Pursuant tothe Transmission System Code by Hydro One Networks Inc. and Great Lakes Power Limited: The Connection procedures submitted by the two applicants are for review and approval under section 6.1.5 of the Transmission System Code. The Board is conducting a combined proceeding in relation to the two applications expecting that the would likely raise similar issues and that persons interested in one application may well have a similar interest in the other application. |
EB-2006-0189 EB-2006-0200 |
| 2005-2006 |
York Region Electricity Supply Proceeding: |
EB 2005-0315 |
| 2005-2006 | Standard Offer Program: The OEB is cooperating with the Ontario Power Authority to develop the terms and conditions for a standard offer program for small generators embedded in the distribution system that use clean or renewable resources. |
EB 2005-0463 |
| 2005-2006 | Regulatory Treatment of Electricity Sub-metering: The Board has commenced a proceeding on its own motion under section 74 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, to determine whether distributor licences should be amended and guidelines issued to address issues related to sub-metering. |
EB 2005-0252 |
| 2002-2003 | Gas Distribution Access Rule (GDAR): 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. |
RP-2000-0001 |
| 2002-2003 | Hydro One Transmission System Code Filings: The Board issued its Decision and Order on July 25, 2005 after completion of a review of Hydro One Network Inc.'s filings on the Customer Equipment Compliance Process and Customer Delivery Point Performance Standards. The review included two rounds of interrogatories, submissions by intervenors, and reply submission by the Hydro One. |
RP-1999-0057 EB-2002-0424 |
Rate Policies
The Board is the economic regulator for transmission and distribution in Ontario. The Board is also responsible for reviewing and approving the IESO-fees. In the policy area, the Board takes a forward look for how rates and consumer charges should develop.
|
Year |
Project |
File No. |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Ontario Uniform Transmission Rate Proceeding: This proceeding will set the Uniform Transmission rates and revenue shares for the four Ontario Transmitters, Hydro One Networks Inc., Great Lakes Power Limited, Canadian Niagara Power Inc. and Five Nations Energy Inc. with a targeted implementation date of November 1, 2007. |
EB-2007-0759 |
| 2007-08 | 3rd Generation Incentive Regulation: The Ontario Energy Board (the “Board”) is consulting with stakeholders on the development of the principles and methodology for the third generation incentive regulation mechanism (3rd Generation IRM) for electricity distributors. |
EB-2007-0673 |
| 2007-08 | Distributed Generation: Rates and Connection: The release of these two discussion papers is the first step in a consultative process that will assist the Board in determining an appropriate policy framework for DG, and is intended primarily to solicit input from interested parties. |
EB-2007-0630 |
| 2007 | Rate Design for Recovery of Electricity Distribution Costs: One of the rate-setting initiatives set out in the Ontario Energy Board's business plan is a comprehensive electricity distribution rate design review. This review is intended to consider the need for, and approaches to, changes to distribution rate design in light of industry changes and emerging issues. |
EB-2007-0031 |
| 2004-2005 | Cost Allocation Review: This initiative will examine the principles, methodologies, filing requirements and model design in respect of new cost allocation studies for electricity distributors. It will also review the need for, and implications of, introducing new rate classes for scattered unmetered loads, embedded distributors, larger General Service ("GS") customers, and elimination the legacy rate class identified as "Time of Use". |
EB-2005-0317 |
| 2004-2005 | Regulated Price Plan (RPP): The Board today launched a consultation process to establish a new regulated price plan for eligible electricity consumers who do not choose an electricity retailer. The Board has posted an Issues Paper and will be holding an open "town hall" meeting to kick-off this process. |
RP-2004-0205 |
| 2002-2003 | Consumer Security Deposits: Amendments to the Distribution System Code in response to working group recommendations, including a common set of terms and conditions for security deposits for LDCs across Ontario. |
RP-2002-0146 |
Research
|
Year |
Project |
File No. |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Regulatory Policy Development Research: The Ontario Energy Board carries out research (from time to time) to inform its approach to regulatory policy development. |
N/A |
| 2004-Present | Stakeholder and Consumer Research: To assist the OEB in developing its communications strategy and in measuring its performance going forward, the Board planned research on two fronts: a) conducting research to determine consumers' needs for and preferences in energy information; and b) conducting a survey of Board stakeholders to benchmark their expectations of the Board’s consumer and industry communications activities. |
N/A |