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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 & Market Oversight
- Licences, Codes & Rules
- Rate Policies
- Research/Stakeholder Surveys
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. |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Ontario Power Generation Inc. - Payment Amounts for Prescribed Generation Facilities: The Board has initiated a consultative process to discuss the filing requirements for Ontario Power Generation’s next payment amounts application and the most efficient means by which issues and evidence might be reviewed and tested in the course of that proceeding. |
EB-2009-0331 |
| 2008 | Demand Side Management (DSM) Guidelines for Gas Distributors: The Board is initiating a consultation process to develop DSM Guidelines to be used by natural gas distributors in developing their next generation DSM plans. |
EB-2008-0346 |
| 2008 | International Financial Reporting Standards (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 | Draft Aboriginal Consultation Policy: The Board is proposing to adopt an Aboriginal Consultation 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 |
| 2007-2010 | 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 |
| 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 |
| 2004-2009 | Conservation and Demand Management (CDM): The Board is responsible for approving the funding of electricity distributors’ CDM programs through distribution rates, with a focus on reviewing the prudence of CDM expenditures. This role includes review and approval of spending levels and proposed programs within distributors’ CDM plans, reporting requirements, and evaluation. The Board is also responsible for reviewing and approving applications for recovery of lost revenue, and shareholder incentives associated with the delivery of CDM programs. |
N/A |
| 2004-2005 | Smart Meter Initiative: The Government of Ontario has committed to install a smart electricity meter in all Ontario homes and small businesses by the end of 2010. The Board's role is to provide the regulatory framework for the smart metering initiative. |
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. |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Notice of Proposed Amendment to the Natural Gas Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements: Rule for Gas Utilities: The Board released for comment proposed amendments to the Natural Gas Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements: Rule for Gas Utilities. |
EB-2009-0162 |
| 2009 | Consultation on Proposed Changes to the Natural Gas Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements: Gas Marketer Licence Requirements: The Board released for comment proposed amendments to the Natural Gas Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements: Gas Marketer Licence Requirements. |
EB-2009-0163 |
| 2009 | Consultation on Proposed Changes to the Electricity Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements: The Board released for comment proposed amendments to the Board’s Electricity Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements. The amendments relate principally to the reporting requirements applicable to distributors, retailers and the Independent Electricity System Operator. |
EB-2009-0161 |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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. |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Proceeding to Determine and Implement a Distribution Rate for Embedded Micro Generators: The Board has proposed on its own motion a proceeding to determine a just and reasonable rate to be charged by an electricity distributor for the recovery of costs associated with an embedded generator having a nameplate capacity of 10 kilowatts or less that meets the eligibility requirements of the Ontario Power Authority’s microFIT program. |
EB-2009-0326 |
| 2009 | Rate Protection and the Determination of Direct Benefits under Ontario Regulation 330/09: The Board is initiating a consultation process to address how the Board should determine the direct benefits that accrue to the consumers of a distributor when that distributor has incurred costs to make an eligible investment in its distribution system to accommodate a renewable energy generation facility. |
EB-2009-0349 |
| 2009 | Consultation Process on Cost of Capital Review: The Board has initiated a consultative process to help it to determine whether current economic and financial market conditions warrant an adjustment to any of the Cost of Capital parameter values set out in the Board’s letter of February 24, 2009. |
EB-2009-0084 |
| 2009 | Regulatory Treatment of Infrastructure Investment for Ontario’s Electricity Transmitters and Distributors: This initiative will consider more innovative approaches to cost recovery for electricity infrastructure projects. Availability of the mechanisms will be associated primarily with investments relating to the accommodation of renewable generation and smart grid development. |
EB-2009-0152 |
| 2008 | PILs Combined Proceeding regarding Account 1562, Deferred Payments in Lieu of Taxes (“PILs”): The Ontario Energy Board has commenced a proceeding on its own motion to determine the accuracy of the final account balances with respect to account 1562 Deferred PILs (for the period October 1, 2001 to April 30, 2006) for certain applicants that filed 2008 and 2009 distribution rate applications with the Board. |
EB-2008-0381 (previously EB-2007-0820) |
| 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 | Regulated Price Plan (RPP): At the request of the Minister of Energy, the Board developed an electricity price plan that provides stable and predictable electricity pricing, encourages conservation and ensures the price consumers pay for electricity better reflects the price paid to generators.. |
RP-2004-0205 |
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 |