2023 electricity distribution rate applications

 

On October 13, 2016, the OEB issued the Handbook for Utility Rate Applications to provide guidance to utilities and stakeholders on applications to the OEB for approval of rates. The Rate Handbook outlines the key principles and expectations the OEB will apply when reviewing rate applications under the OEB’s renewed regulatory framework, Report of the Board: A Renewed Regulatory Framework for Electricity (the RRFE Report). Three alternative rate-setting methods are available to electricity distributors: Price Cap Incentive Rate-setting (Price Cap IR); Custom Incentive Rate-setting (Custom IR); and Annual Incentive Rate-setting Index (Annual IR Index).

On December 1, 2021, the OEB issued a letter identifying a preliminary list of electricity distributors (the Rebasing List) that are scheduled to file a cost of service application in respect of their 2023 rates assuming they opt for the Price Cap IR method. This letter also sets out the deadlines by which notice must be given to the OEB in respect of various other matters relating to the setting of 2023 rates, and by which cost of service applications for 2023 rates are expected to be filed. The following table summarizes these deadlines.

ActionOEB Deadline
Notification from any distributor on the 2023 Rebasing List that will be selecting either the Custom IR, or Annual IR Index method (therefore will not be filing a Price Cap IR rate application) for 2023 ratesJanuary 28, 2022
Notification from any distributor that is currently on Annual IR Index but that plans to file a cost of service rate application under the Price Cap IR method or a Custom IR application for 2023 ratesJanuary 28, 2022
Notification from any distributor that is not included on the 2023 Rebasing List but that plans to file a cost of service application for 2023 rates under the Price Cap IR method (early rebasing)January 28, 2022
Notification from any distributor on the 2023 Rebasing List that plans to submit a request to defer rebasingJanuary 28, 2022
Notification from any distributor that plans to file a cost a service application for 2023 rates and that wishes to convert its rate year from May 1 to January 1January 28, 2022
Deadline for cost of service applications for January 1, 2023 rates including those distributors that wish to convert from May 1 rates to January 1 ratesApril 29, 2022
Deadline for cost of service applications for May 1, 2023 rates and for Custom IR annual update applicationsAugust 31, 2022

 

The following table identifies all 60 rate regulated electricity distributors in Ontario. The table contains links to select documents of a distributor’s rate application. These documents include:

  • Key correspondence regarding the status of an application, including the choice of rate-setting method for 2023 rates. For applications to be decided under Delegated Authority, case management letters are used to communicate case steps and dates rather than a letter of direction and procedural order.
  • The Notice of Application issued by the OEB and to be published by the distributor, if applicable. The purpose of the Notice is to inform affected ratepayers and other stakeholders of the application, its nature and the impact on affected customers.
  • The Decision issued by the OEB when it has made determinations on the application and the subsequent Rate Order and Tariff of Rates and Charges that reflects the Decision.

 

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

This table provides a list of select documents related to each application. To view all publicly available documents for the application, click the case number associated with that particular distributor.

DEFINITIONS:

Cost of Service: Distributors rebasing under the Price Cap Incentive Rate-setting method
Price Cap IR: Distributors not rebasing under the Price Cap Incentive Rate-setting method
Custom IR: Distributors filing under the Custom Incentive Rate-setting method
Annual IR: Distributors filing under the Annual Incentive Rate-setting Index method
Case Management Letter: Pursuant to powers granted in Section 6 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, an employee of the OEB (Delegated Authority) may make a decision on the application without holding a hearing. Certain mechanistic Price Cap IR and Annual IR applications are adjudicated by a Delegated Authority. For these applications, there are normally no formal hearings and thus, no publication requirements of a formal Notice of Application. The process and timelines associated with the assessment of the applications by OEB staff are communicated to distributors by way of Case Management letters.
NoA: Notice of Application

Click the column header to sort the table by Distributor, Process, Application Received or Updated on. Click the column again to switch between ascending/descending order. To filter results, start typing in the search field below. As you type the table will re-sort to only show rows that match what you type (e.g. typing 'Niagara' will show only the rows for Canadian Niagara Power Inc., Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. and Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro Inc.).

 

ASSOCIATED DECISIONS

DateIssue/document
Jan 24-23

The OEB has issued a Decision and Order in the matter of Renewable Generation Connection Rate Protection payment amounts effective January 1, 2023.

Dec 8-22

The OEB has issued a Decision and Order in the matter of regulatory charges effective January 1, 2023, for the Wholesale Market Services rate and the Rural or Remote Electricity Rate Protection charge.

Nov 3-22

The OEB has issued its Decision and Order updating the retail service charges (EB-2022-0220) and its Decision and Order updating the distribution pole attachment charge (EB-2022-0221), effective January 1, 2023.

Jun 16-22

The OEB has issued its Decision and Rate Order in the matter of Distribution Rate Protection effective July 1, 2022.

 

UPDATES

DateIssue/document
Dec 8-22

The OEB has issued a letter re: Review of Fixed Monthly Charge for microFIT Generator Service Classification.

Oct 20-22

The OEB has issued a letter on the inflation factors to be used to set rates for certain electricity transmitters and electricity and natural gas distributors for 2023.

Oct 20-22

The OEB has issued a letter which sets out the Cost of Capital Parameter Updates for cost-based rates applications that have an effective date commencing in 2023.

Jun 16-22

The OEB has issued a letter that sets out the IRM tranche assignments for Incentive Rate-setting Applications for the 2023 rate year.

May 27-22

The OEB has posted updated versions of various models to be used for 2023 Rate Applications.
 
Queries regarding the models should be sent to ratemodels@oeb.ca.
 
Cost of Service Models:

Applicable to both Cost of Service and Incentive Rate-setting Mechanism (IRM):

Incentive Rate-setting Mechanism (IRM) Models:

May 24-22

The OEB has posted an updated version of Chapter 3 of the Filing Requirements for 2023 Rate Applications.

Apr 22-22

The OEB has posted materials from the April 22, 2022, Orientation session for Electricity Distributors rebasing rates in 2023.

Apr 18-22

The OEB has posted updated Filing Requirements for 2023 Rate Applications.

Feb 22-22

The OEB has issued a letter re: Consultation on Updates to Filing Requirements for Electricity Distribution Cost of Service Applications.

Feb 22-22

The OEB has issued Data Models for Cost of Service Filing Requirements for 2023 Rates.

Feb 10-22

The OEB has issued a letter re: Incremental Capital Modules During Extended Deferred Rebasing Periods.

Jan 11-22

The OEB has issued a letter re: Capital Planning to Support Telecommunications Projects.

Dec 16-21

The OEB has issued an updated version of its Filing Requirements for Electricity Distribution Rate Applications for small electricity distributors.

Dec 1-21

The OEB has issued a letter that sets out a preliminary schedule of cost of service filers for the 2023 to 2026 rate years, outlines changes to the OEB's approach to deferrals and establishes important filing and notification deadlines.

 

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