Regional Planning Process Review

Case number
EB-2020-0176
Launched
Sector
Electricity
Status
Active
Details

The OEB initiated a consultation process to undertake a review of the regional planning process that applies to Ontario’s electricity sector. The OEB instituted a more structured process across the province, in 2013, to better ensure optimal investments are made by electricity transmitters and distributors. The primary purpose of this review is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the current regional planning process.

As the first step in this Regional Planning Process Review (RPPR), the OEB re-established its Regional Planning Process Advisory Group (RPPAG) to assist the OEB in its review. As indicated in the OEB’s 2020-21 Business Plan, this review includes consideration of certain recommendations from the high level regional planning process review completed by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). The work of the RPPAG therefore included further assessing the IESO’s recommendations that the two organizations determined the OEB should take the lead on as set out in the IESO’s Final Report. The RPPAG provided its Report to the OEB with recommendations for the OEB’s consideration to improve the regional planning process. The OEB issued a letter which indicated it would be moving forward on all the recommendations that require OEB action (and provided an Implementation Plan) and endorsed all the recommendations that require RPPAG action. Phase 1 of the RPPR is completed and Phase 2 will focus on implementation of those recommendations.

Related Information:

RPPAG Resource Documents to Improve Regional Planning:

Updates
Updates
Date Issue / Document
April 20, 2023

The OEB has received comments from the following stakeholders on the proposed TSC and DSC amendments that were issued on March 24, 2023:
March 24, 2023

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to amend the Transmission System Code and the Distribution System Code to ensure the most cost-effective investments are made to replace major transmission voltage assets when they reach end of life (EOL) and need to be replaced, as part of the regional planning process. Anyone interested in providing written comments on the proposed amendments is invited to submit them by April 14, 2023.
September 29, 2022

In response to recommendations from the OEB’s Regional Planning Process Advisory Group (RPPAG), the OEB has issued two Bulletins that clarify the following:
 

  • A local community may choose an alternative solution to the most cost effective solution identified to meet a need determined through a distribution planning or regional planning process, based on local preference. It also provides guidance in relation to how cost responsibility should be addressed in such cases.
  • The circumstances under which regulated electricity transmitters should allocate costs associated with network facility upgrades to a generator or load customer connecting to the transmission system. It updates and supersedes Compliance Bulletin 200606, issued September 11, 2006.
April 28, 2022

The OEB has issued a letter with its response to recommendations provided by the Regional Planning Process Advisory Group (RPPAG) to improve the regional planning process in Ontario. The letter also includes an implementation plan related to those recommendations. 
January 18, 2021

The OEB has issued a letter to inform stakeholders of the membership of the newly constituted Regional Planning Process Advisory Group (RPPAG) and the scope of the RPPAG’s work to assist the OEB with its review of the regional planning process. The letter also includes the OEB’s Decision on Cost Eligibility.
December 10, 2020

The OEB issued a letter initiating a consultation to undertake a review of the regional planning process that applies to Ontario’s electricity sector. As the first step in this consultation, the OEB is re-establishing its Regional Planning Process Advisory Group (RPPAG) to assist the OEB in its review. Those interested in participating as a member of the RPPAG should indicate their intent by January 7, 2021 in accordance with the instructions in the letter.
Optional Tables

Working Group - Phase 2

Date Issue / Document
December 15, 2022

The Regional Planning Process Advisory Group (RPPAG) has provided a document entitled “Improving the Electricity Planning Process in Ontario: Enhanced Coordination between Municipalities and Entities in the Electricity Sector” which will support building municipal awareness about the regional planning process and identifies the information that distributors need from municipalities to improve the accuracy of load forecasts used in the planning process. The OEB appreciates the work of the RPPAG.
November 2, 2022

The Regional Planning Process Advisory Group (RPPAG) has provided its Load Forecast Guideline that was developed for electricity distributors, transmitters, and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to use to ensure greater consistency in preparing load forecasts, including consideration of the impact of electrification, for the purpose of regional planning across Ontario. Preparation of the Guideline is a result of a recommendation by the RPPAG. The OEB appreciates the work of the RPPAG and how the Guideline may support other regulatory processes.
August 11, 2022

Meeting #1: The Load Forecast Subgroup obtained feedback from the other RPPAG members on a final draft of the Load Forecast Guideline.

Working Group - Phase 1

Date Issue / Document
December 20, 2021

The Regional Planning Process Advisory Group (RPPAG) provided its Report to the OEB which includes recommendations, for the OEB’s consideration, that are intended to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of the current regional planning process in Ontario. The RPPAG’s report is the first step in the OEB’s Regional Planning Process Review (RPPR) consultation. 
November 5, 2021

The RPPAG is preparing a Report to the OEB with recommendations to improve the regional planning process. One of those recommendations involves proposed changes to the OEB’s CDM Guidelines. The RPPAG provided that recommendation in advance of the full report due to the timing of the CDM Guideline update.
September 21, 2021

Meeting #7:
August 19, 2021

Meeting #6:
July 14, 2021

Meeting #5:
May 25, 2021

Meeting #4:
April 21, 2021

Meeting #3:
March 19, 2021

Meeting #2:
February 17, 2021

Meeting #1:
Cost Award Matters
Cost Award Matters
Date Issue / Document
August 9, 2022

The OEB has issued its Decision and Order on Cost Awards.
June 27, 2022

The OEB has issued a Notice of Hearing for Cost Awards.
November 9, 2021

The OEB has issued a letter related to a Cost Award matter on an additional consultation activity involving the RPPAG’s Report to the OEB.