The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Kitchener Utilities valid from January 1, 2025.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has posted a Directive from the Minister of Energy and Electrification regarding the development of a new transmission line in Northeastern Ontario and a related Order in Council regarding the priority status of the project.

• Ministerial directives and letters

The OEB has issued the final Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code. These amendments are intended to facilitate the connection of housing developments by extending the connection horizon to a maximum of 15 years for qualifying housing developments and extending the revenue horizon to 40 years for all residential customers. The extensions are applicable to the connections of Qualifying Housing Developments and residential customers for which an initial offer to connect had not been accepted by the developer or customer on or before November 18, 2024. These amendments come into force today to enable early implementation by distributors that are able to do so. Compliance with the new provisions is mandatory for all distributors starting March 3, 2025.

• Final Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge Gas Inc. and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership will charge its customers for natural gas effective January 1, 2025.

• Decisions

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from January 1 - March 31, 2025.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has issued a draft version of the Vulnerability Assessment (VA) Report as a part of its Vulnerability Assessment and System Hardening (VASH) initiative, along with the VA Toolkit, a resource designed to assist distributors in preparation of VA analyses. Stakeholders are invited to provide written feedback on the VA Report and VA Toolkit by January 23, 2025.

• Vulnerability Assessment and System Hardening Project

The OEB has issued version 2.0 of the Ontario Cyber Security Standard and a letter describing changes that include requirements for electricity distributors and transmitters to periodically submit an independent cyber security assessment based on the Ontario Cyber Security Framework to the OEB.

• Ontario Cyber Security Standard

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to amend the Distribution System Code. The proposed amendments establish minimum requirements for licensed electricity distributors in communicating with customers when there are widespread power interruptions in a distributor’s service area caused by severe weather. The purpose of these requirements is to provide customers with timely information to help them prepare for and stay safe during extended electrical service interruptions. The OEB invites stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposal by January 17, 2025.

• Notice of Proposal to Amend the Distribution System Code

The OEB has published the 2025 Quarter 1 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed Interest Rates

The OEB has announced the membership of the newly established Capacity Allocation Model Advisory Group (CAMAG) and the process for ensuring stakeholders can stay aware of its work.

• Capacity Allocation Model Advisory Group Membership

Ahead of the 2026 rate application cycle, the OEB has released an updated version of its Filing Requirements for Electricity Distribution Rate Applications that provides guidance on several key initiatives, including: reducing regulatory burden for very small utilities (those with fewer than 5,000 customers); identifying the benefits and costs of Distributed Energy Resources (first phase of the Benefit-Cost Analysis Framework); promoting the use of non-wire solutions; and rate-making policies for utility consolidations.

• Filing Requirements for Electricity Distribution Rate Applications

The OEB is pleased to release its 2023-2024 Annual Report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.

• Annual Report

The OEB has issued a report following a review of the consumer protection framework for customers of unit sub-meter providers (USMP). The report summarizes input obtained from consumers and stakeholders and identifies actions to strengthen the consumer protection framework for USMP customers.
The OEB is also issuing a Notice of Proposal to Amend the Unit Sub-Metering Code that includes proposed amendments to increase awareness among USMP customers of the consumer protection framework and related policies and programs that are in place to protect them. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the proposed amendments by January 16, 2025.

• OEB Report: Review of Consumer Protection Framework for USMP Customers
• Notice of Proposal to Amend the Unit Sub-Metering Code

The OEB is hosting a meeting to engage stakeholders on the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements (RRR) for Ontario’s licensed electricity distributors. This meeting provides the OEB an opportunity to share information on upcoming changes to the RRR and gather feedback on future updates to ensure it is adapting to the needs of an evolving electricity sector.

• Letter

The OEB has released a report titled “Distribution Sector Resilience and Responsiveness” in response to the Minister’s November 2023 Letter of Direction. This Report provides valuable insight into Ontario distributors’ approach to planning for and recovering from major storms.

• Distribution Sector Resilience and Responsiveness Report

It’s a threepeat! For the third year in a row the OEB is proud to be recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers, the benchmark for workplace best practices.

• Ontario Energy Board Named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2025

The OEB is initiating a consultation to develop a capacity allocation model (CAM) to address issues related to system expansions for connecting housing developments. This initiative builds on the recommendations set out in the OEB’s report to the Minister of Energy and Electrification, which were endorsed by the Minister. A technical advisory group is being established by OEB staff to assist in developing the CAM and rules for its implementation. Stakeholders interested in participating in the advisory group should send a letter to the OEB by December 2, 2024.

• Housing Connection Consultation Invitation Letter

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has issued a Notice of Proposal to amend the Distribution System Code (DSC). These proposed amendments are intended to facilitate the connection of housing developments by extending the connection horizon to a maximum of 15 years for qualifying housing developments and extending the revenue horizon to 40 years for all residential customers. The OEB invites stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposal by December 9, 2024.

• Notice of Proposal to Amend the DSC

The OEB has updated Realizing Ontario’s Energy Advantage, our digital timeline that showcases notable business activities, achievements and milestones that support our strategic goals, business objectives and deliverables associated with Ministerial Letters of Direction. See what we’ve been up to!

• Realizing Ontario's Energy Advantage

The Winter Disconnection Ban is now in effect. Residential customers cannot be disconnected by their electricity or natural gas utility for non-payment between the period of November 15, 2024, and April 30, 2025.

• Winter Disconnection Ban

The OEB is sharing materials in support of its upcoming stakeholder meeting to advance its performance-based approach to rate regulation. The materials include a review of utility remuneration models in other jurisdictions and a presentation for the November 19, 2024, meeting.

• Advancing Performance-based Rate Regulation

The OEB’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Shahrzad Rahbar to the role of part-time Commissioner effective January 1, 2025. Dr. Rahbar joins an existing complement of highly qualified and dedicated Commissioners who collectively work to achieve adjudicative excellence.

• Commissioners

The OEB has published its summary of the stakeholder input shared at Policy Day 2024 on October 16, 2024. Discussions focused on a range of current and emerging issues facing the energy sector, including a rate-setting framework for the future, youth engagement, building our energy sector workforce, grid modernization, future utility models and advancing adjudicative priorities. Policy Day is the OEB’s annual opportunity for us to provide a progress report to the sector and for stakeholders to offer input into strategic priorities guiding our forward work plan.

• What We Heard: A Report Back on Stakeholder Input at Policy Day 2024

The OEB has issued a Bulletin providing staff’s guidance and expectations for electricity distributors in meeting their regulatory obligations to ensure timely customer connections. The expectations set out in this Bulletin will be taken into consideration by OEB staff in any compliance review or inspection regarding new load connections. 

• Bulletin

The OEB has issued a letter that provides the calculations for 2025 preliminary Uniform Transmission Rates (UTRs) and facilitates their implementation in applicable 2025 electricity distributor rate applications for distributors with an effective date of January 1, 2025. The OEB is issuing preliminary UTRs to improve regulatory efficiency.

• Letter

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 2025.

• Letter
• Cost of Capital Parameter Updates

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from November 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has issued a Staff Bulletin reminding licensed electricity distributors of their obligation under the Distribution System Code (DSC) to provide access to specific forms and information to facilitate connection of generation and storage facilities (Distributed Energy Resources or DERs) to the distribution system. Access to information supports customer choice by ensuring customers understand both technical and non-technical requirements, enabling informed investment decisions.

• Staff Bulletin

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Kitchener Utilities valid from November 1, 2024.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts and Net Metering valid from November 1, 2024.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has published its report to the Minister on System Expansion for Housing Developments. Prepared in response to the November 2023 Letter of Direction, the report presents the OEB’s recommendations to support the government’s goal of building at least 1.5 million new homes and supporting infrastructure, while outlining a practical, affordable and transparent cost recovery framework for all Ontarians. The forward-looking plan set out in this report identifies the immediate needs highlighted by developers and other stakeholders and aims to support electrification and an energy transition that is practical, affordable, and transparent for all Ontarians. We are grateful to our stakeholders for their participation as we developed our advice, and we look forward to working with them to implement this important work.

• System Expansion for Housing Developments

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has posted its adjudicative reporting dashboard to provide stakeholders with a semi-annual snapshot report for Q1 and Q2 of Fiscal 2024-2025, with a discussion of its adjudicative performance.

• Adjudicative Reporting Dashboard

Ontario Energy Board announces changes to electricity prices for households, small business and farms.

• News release

The OEB has announced its phased approach to providing customers with access to electricity distribution capacity maps in response to the November 2023 Letter of Direction. In the initial phase, licensed distributors are expected to post capacity information by March 3, 2025.

• Letter

The OEB has published the Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) – 2023 Unit Cost Report, which aims to encourage continuous improvement by regulated electricity distributors. The report includes unit cost results for 2023 based on the latest Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRRs) data.

• Activity and Program-based Benchmarking Initiative

The OEB holiday timeout period will be from December 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025. During this period, the OEB will generally avoid issuing decisions and documents that require immediate action from recipients except in instances where it could impact the implementation of January 1st rates or time-sensitive approvals. The OEB will also consider requests by parties to issue documents during the holiday timeout period.

• Letter

The OEB is launching a consultation to advance its performance-based approach to rate regulation. The objective of this initiative is to develop ways to strengthen the link between what electricity distributors earn and the achievement of outcomes consumers value, such as cost-effectiveness, reliability and customer service.

• Letter

The OEB’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Vinay Sharma to the role of part-time Commissioner and extension of Dr. Robert Dodds in his current role as full-time Commissioner. Dr. Sharma joins an existing compliment of highly qualified and dedicated Commissioners who collectively are responsible for ensuring the quality, efficiency and timeliness of our adjudicative work.

• Commissioners

The OEB has updated its Customer, Consumption and Revenue Dashboard to include a new Customer Count page, filter to review top electricity distributors, and monthly consumption and distribution revenue data.

• Interactive Dashboards

The OEB has amended the Distribution System Code and Transmission System Code. The amendments, which come into force October 1, 2024, require utilities to comply with the new Ontario Cyber Security Standard document that focuses on privacy, corporate governance, and situational awareness related to cyber security.

• Distribution System Code
• Transmission System Code

The OEB’s Innovation Sandbox has been showcased through the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) of Ontario’s Transparency Challenge for driving energy sector innovation and enhancing public access to details about leading-edge ideas explored in the sector.

• IPC Transparency Challenge

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge Gas Inc. and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership valid from October 1 - December 31, 2024.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has issued new Filing Requirements applicable to applications for exemption from leave to construct contemplated in sections 90(2) and 95(2) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998.

• Environmental Guidelines for Hydrocarbon Projects and Facilities in Ontario

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge Gas Inc. and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership will charge its customers for natural gas effective October 1, 2024.

• Decisions

The OEB has issued updated Filing Requirements for Ontario Power Generation Inc.’s payment amounts applications. They include revisions to the 2011 guidelines informed by stakeholder comments and discussion. The Filing Requirements aim to address the evolving regulatory landscape, incorporate lessons learned from past proceedings and remain evergreen.

• Ontario Power Generation Filing Guidelines Review

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has published the 2024 Quarter 4 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed Interest Rates

The OEB has published the 2023 Scorecards of Electricity Distributors. The scorecard measures how well Ontario’s electricity distributors are performing each year.

• Scorecards

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its State of the Market Report 2023 on Ontario's wholesale electricity market.

• MSP Reports

The OEB has updated its Innovation Handbook with new OEB policies and related materials that support energy sector innovation. The Handbook is intended to serve as a reference guide for sector innovators, provide awareness of the OEB’s work to date to support innovation and assist utilities in preparing applications that propose innovative approaches to meeting customer or system needs.

• Innovation Handbook

The OEB is releasing an updated set of Open Data files containing 2023 RRR data which include: Activity and Program-based Benchmarking Related Reporting Dataset for Electricity Distributors, Third-Party Net Metering Dataset for Electricity Distributors, and Embedded Generation Facilities Dataset Broken Down by Facility Type for Electricity Distributors. Additionally, the OEB is also pleased to announce the integration of RRR data for electricity transmitters into the Open Data platform. This enhancement allows users to access electricity transmitter data alongside the already available electricity distributor data. 

• Open Data

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from August 1 - October 31, 2024.

• Price Comparison Templates

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is pleased to announce that we have partnered with Indspire, a national charity dedicated to investing in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, to establish and administer the OEB Indigenous Scholarship.

• Learn more

The OEB is inviting stakeholders to a meeting on September 9, 2024, to discuss two proposed alternative price plans for Class B consumers – which include mid-size commercial and light industrial businesses – that aren’t on the Regulated Price Plan. During this meeting, the OEB will provide background information on the development of these price plans and discuss how they may help businesses better manage their energy costs and reduce system costs.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter providing an issues list, based on stakeholders’ input, that will be addressed in the Transmission Connections Review. The OEB has identified two streams and makes a call for working group nominations to address the issues related to each stream.

• Letter

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

Today, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) issued a revised Handbook to Electricity Distributor and Transmitter Consolidations: Rate-making Considerations and Filing Requirements for Consolidation Applications (2024 MAADs Handbook, originally published June 18, 2024). 

In addition to correcting a few minor typographical errors, the revised 2024 MAADs Handbook also clarifies that a distributor rebasing in a period of 5 years or less (and not just less than 5 years) is required to provide a report on the rebasing progress at its first rebasing application post-consolidation.

• 2024 Handbook to Electricity Distributor and Transmitter Consolidations

The Province of Ontario has appointed Mark E. White as Chair of the OEB’s Board of Directors. Mr. White is an accomplished leader in regulation, policy and governance. He brings a strong background in law, risk management, markets and organizational transformation, having served as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Ontario’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority.  Geoff Owen, an OEB Director since September 2021 and Chair of the Board of Directors’ Letter of Direction Task Force, has been appointed as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. With Mr. White and Mr. Owen, the Board of Directors will continue its work to support the OEB through the energy transition, strengthen public trust and provide strong leadership and good governance.

• Board of Directors

The OEB has launched the Vulnerability Assessment and System Hardening (VASH) project in relation to the OEB’s Distribution Sector Resiliency, Responsiveness and Cost Efficiency initiative. The VASH project has been initiated to address the ask from the Minister of Energy (now Energy and Electrification) to develop and implement policies to improve distribution sector resiliency in response to the challenges posed by climate change.

• Vulnerability Assessment and System Hardening Project

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from July 1 - September 30, 2024.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge and EPCOR will charge its customers for natural gas effective July 1, 2024.

• Decisions

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 2025.

• Letter

The OEB has updated its Handbook to Electricity Distributor and Transmitter Consolidations: Rate-making Considerations and Filing Requirements for Consolidation Applications. The 2024 Handbook reflects updates on OEB policies and filing requirements applicable to consolidations as well as rate-making considerations, accounting and other matters related to consolidating utilities.

Application of these policies will create a more predictable regulatory environment for applicants that are considering consolidation, thereby facilitating planning and decision-making, while assisting applicants in determining the value of consolidation transactions.

• 2024 Handbook to Electricity Distributor and Transmitter Consolidations
• Cover Letter for Handbook

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has updated Chapter 3 of the Filing Requirements for 2025 rate applications, adding references to Non-Wires Solutions Guidelines in the sections relating to the Lost Revenue Adjustment Mechanism Variance Account and the Incremental Capital Module.

• Filing requirements

The OEB has released its Innovation Sandbox Annual Report, reflecting major developments from last year including the launch of the Innovation Sandbox Challenge and the issuance of the OEB's Innovation Handbook. The OEB is also holding a webinar next month to provide stakeholders an overview of the report and offer an opportunity to address any questions related to it.

• Letter
• Innovation Sandbox Annual Report

The OEB has published the 2024 Quarter 3 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed Interest Rates

The OEB has issued a draft update to its Accounting Guidance Related to Commodity Pass-Through Accounts 1588 & 1589, resulting from the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Market Renewal Program (MRP).

• Accounting Procedures for Electricity

The OEB has issued materials in support of a proposed electricity delivery rate for public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that have a low load factor. The proposal, which aims to further facilitate the integration of EV charging stations with the electricity system, will be discussed further at a stakeholder meeting on June 13, 2024.

• EV Integration

The OEB has posted the updated electricity supply mix data information for 2023. As per Ontario Regulation 416/99 made under the OEB Act, and the OEB’s Directive, this information is required to be disclosed to Ontario consumers.

• 2023 supply mix data

The OEB has issued the final Phase One Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) Framework for Addressing Electricity System Needs, integrating stakeholder feedback from the draft Phase One BCA Framework. This Framework will advance guidance, methodologies, and tools to assist electricity distributors in identifying the full distribution-level impacts of non-wires solutions.

• Benefit-Cost Analysis Framework for Addressing Electricity System Needs

The OEB has published three new Interactive Dashboards, in addition to the Interactive System Reliability Dashboard initially introduced in 2023. These dashboards provide visually accessible information using Reporting and Record keeping Requirement (RRR) data, showcasing industry insights and the OEB's dedication to fostering innovation and enhancing energy sector performance. They offer stakeholders a comprehensive view of industry trends, distributor performance, customizable data visualization, and a convenient performance comparison tool.

• Interactive Dashboards

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts and Net Metering valid from May 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024.

• Price Comparison Templates

To better support the efficient integration of EVs in Ontario, the OEB is proposing a new delivery rate for eligible public EV charging stations. The OEB invites stakeholders to a meeting next month to discuss the proposal.

• Letter

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from May 1 - July 31 2024.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB reminds consumers that the Winter Disconnection Ban ends May 1. There are steps customers can take to avoid disconnection for non-payment and rules that utilities must follow. As well, bill payment support programs were recently enhanced making more Ontarians eligible.

• Click here to learn more

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Kitchener Utilities valid from May 1, 2024.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has issued a letter initiating a review of the connections related sections of the Transmission System Code (TSC). The purpose of this review is to enhance the effectiveness of connection processes, procedures, and requirements. The letter outlines issues identified to date and seeks stakeholders’ input for consideration.

• Letter

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has posted its adjudicative reporting dashboard to provide stakeholders with the final report for Fiscal 2023-2024, with a discussion of its adjudicative performance.

• Adjudicative Reporting Dashboard

The OEB has issued a letter stating that it will not update the filing requirements for 2025 electricity distribution rates. The letter also announces details of a new pilot for intervenors that participate in cost of service applications from utilities with less than 30,000 customers.

• Letter

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is pleased to publish our 2024-2027 Business Plan, which sets out how the OEB will provide value to the people of Ontario through consumer protection and customer choice, regulatory policy leadership, innovation, and adjudicative excellence.

• Business Plan

The OEB has issued a letter providing guidance regarding the anticipated Code amendments that will be required when the IESO’s Market Rule amendments related to its Market Renewal Program take effect. The intent is to assist electricity distributors in understanding the type and scope of those Code changes as they prepare for Market Renewal.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter regarding the filing of IESO System Impact Assessment (SIA) reports in electricity leave to construct applications. Effective April 4, 2024,applicants are no longer required to include SIA appendices in order to meet the criteria outlined in Chapter 4 of the OEB’s Filing Requirements for Electricity Transmission Applications.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter to natural gas distributors regarding minor revisions that it has made to the standard conditions of approval typically attached to the OEB’s decisions approving natural gas leave to construct applications. 

• Letter

The OEB has issued its response to The Very Small Utilities Working Group Report filed by OEB staff on February 28, 2024. The report contained recommendations and suggestions regarding filing requirements, the cost of service process, alternative regulatory approaches for very small utilities, and a process for monitoring the impact of regulatory approaches on these utilities.

• Letter
• Regulatory Efficiency for Very Small Utilities

The OEB has published materials from its February 2024 Webinar and Q&A Session on OEB’s Accounting Order (003-2023) for the Establishment of a Deferral Account to Record Incremental Cloud Computing Arrangement Implementation Costs. The materials include responses to questions received during the session.

• Cloud Computing Implementation Cost Deferral Account QA

As part of its ongoing Reliability and Power Quality Review consultation, the OEB has developed a Guide to Addressing Electricity Distribution Power Quality Issues. The Guide is intended to enhance transparency and consistency by fostering a uniform approach for addressing power quality issues across Ontario.

• Reliability and Power Quality Review (RPQR)

The OEB has issued the Non-Wires Solutions Guidelines for Electricity Distributors (NWS Guidelines). The NWS Guidelines replace the Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Guidelines and provide OEB guidance on the role of non-wires solutions for rate-regulated electricity distributors. The change in name reflects the fact that non-wires solutions to address system needs can encompass a broader range of solutions than traditional conservation and demand management, including, but not limited to, third-party distributed energy resources such as energy storage and distributed generation.

• Non-Wires Solutions Guidelines for Electricity Distributors

The OEB has issued the final Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code. The amendments are intended to enable electricity distributors to offer flexible hosting capacity arrangements.

• Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Connections Review

The OEB has issued a letter to electricity licensees and licensed natural gas marketers which includes a summary of changes to the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements (RRR) for the 2024 filing and updates to RRR documentation. The letter also highlights new RRR changes expected for the April 2025 filing and beyond for electricity distributors, including interruption sub-cause codes and voluntary feeder-level reliability reporting.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a notice regarding amendments to the Natural Gas Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRR) Rule for Gas Utilities (Natural Gas RRR Rule). The notice also advises natural gas utilities of an update to the RRR Filing Portal regarding cloud computing costs.

• Notice

The OEB has issued a letter regarding an update on activities arising from its report to the minister, entitled, "Improving Distribution Sector Resilience, Responsiveness and Cost Efficiency." The initiatives the OEB has planned will enable significant progress to mature the sector’s capability to anticipate and respond to adverse weather - all while ensuring distributors continue to deliver on service expectations and value for customers. More information can be found on the Distribution Sector Resilience, Responsiveness and Cost Efficiency (DRRCE) Hub. 

• Letter
• Distribution Sector Resilience, Responsiveness and Cost Efficiency (DRRCE) Hub

The OEB has issued a Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code and Transmission System Code. The amendments require utilities to comply with a new Ontario Cyber Security Standard document which focuses on privacy, corporate governance, and situational awareness related to cyber security. These amendments will come into force on October 1, 2024.

• Notice

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from April 1 - June 30, 2024.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge Gas Inc. and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership will charge their customers for natural gas effective April 1, 2024.

• Decisions

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has published the 2024 Quarter 2 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities. 

• Prescribed Interest Rates

The OEB will engage stakeholders to inform its policy review of the electricity distribution system expansion for housing development, with specific focus on the connection and revenue horizons. We are inviting stakeholders to a meeting on April 3, 2024.

• Letter

On March 18, 2024, the OEB will launch an update to the online portal for filing cost claims that aims to improve the efficiency of the cost claim process. The update will change the layout and categorization of some cost claim activities, as well as adding one new activity and removing three activities. Many of the activities remain the same.

• Notice of Cost Claim System Changes and Guidance

The Ontario Energy Board is commencing a hearing to review the cost of capital rate-regulated electricity and gas utilities can recover through rates. The hearing will also address the OEB’s prescribed interest rates and matters relating to the OEB’s Cloud Computing Deferral Account.

• Notice of Hearing

The OEB has posted amendments to Rules 13 and 13A of the Rules of Practice and Procedure that provide greater clarity regarding the OEB’s general approach to the filing of evidence and expert evidence in a proceeding.

• OEB Rules of Practice and Procedure

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has issued the final Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code regarding the connection of non-residential electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The amendments establish the requirement for licensed electricity distributors to follow a standardized and streamlined process for connecting non-residential EV charging infrastructure that requires modifications or additions to the distributor's distribution system. These amendments will come into force on May 27, 2024.

• Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Connections Review

The OEB issued a letter announcing changes to the Low-income Energy Assistance Program Emergency Financial Assistance (LEAP EFA). These changes will help ensure that LEAP EFA continues to provide an appropriate level of assistance to vulnerable consumers in a timely and effective manner. The OEB also issued an Order approving two deferral accounts intended to facilitate the implementation of the changes to the LEAP EFA by electricity and gas distributors.

• LEAP EFA Review

The OEB issued a letter announcing changes to the Low-income Energy Assistance Program Emergency Financial Assistance (LEAP EFA). These changes will help ensure that LEAP EFA continues to provide an appropriate level of assistance to vulnerable consumers in a timely and effective manner. The OEB also issued an Order approving two deferral accounts intended to facilitate the implementation of the changes to the LEAP EFA by electricity and gas distributors.

• LEAP EFA Review

The OEB has issued for comment a Staff Discussion Paper as part of its consultation to review and update its Handbook to Electricity Distributor and Transmitter Consolidations, and associated Filing Requirements for Consolidation Applications.

• Evaluation of Policy on Utility Consolidations

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FRAUDULENT PHISHING EMAILS

The Ontario Energy Board is aware of the circulation of phishing emails using OEB employee names and titles. Bad actors are attempting to engage Ontario residents and OEB licensed entities.

Please be cautious of emails posing as OEB staff. Safeguard your operations by exercising vigilance. Confirm the sender’s email address is from @oeb.ca, be suspicious of unexpected messages from OEB executives and those which may contain unusual requests, including to contact the sender by their personal email.

Be aware that OEB does not engage in direct consumer outreach unless the consumer engages OEB first. Our dedicated webpage, oeb.ca/scams, may be shared with consumers for tips and information to avoid fraud. In addition, CTV News is warning consumers in Pembroke of a scam.

• oeb.ca/scams
• CTV News

The OEB has posted amendments to Rules 28 and 32 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure that provide greater clarity regarding the OEB’s general approach to establishing and amending issues lists for a proceeding.

• OEB Rules of Practice and Procedure

The Province of Ontario has recently appointed Carla Carmichael to the OEB’s Board of Directors. Ms. Carmichael is a senior leader with more than 30 years of experience in financial, commercial and strategic risk management, as well as infrastructure project planning and execution. She brings to the Board significant energy industry expertise including a strong focus on nuclear finance, rate regulation and projects, which she gained while working at Ontario Power Generation for more than 14 years. She currently serves as a council member on the Council for Clean and Reliable Energy and on the Board of Governors for Ontario Tech University. With the addition of Ms. Carmichael, the Board will continue its work to support the OEB through the energy transition, to strengthen public trust and provide strong leadership and good governance.

• Board of Directors

As part of its ongoing Reliability and Power Quality Review consultations, the OEB is providing for new voluntary reporting by distributors on reliability data at the distribution feeder level. The OEB expects this information will be supportive in building customer awareness and understanding about the reliability of their distributor’s services.

• Reliability and Power Quality Review (RPQR)

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from February 1, 2024.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to amend the Distribution System Code. The amendment is intended to enable electricity distributors to offer flexible hosting capacity arrangements. We invite stakeholders to provide feedback to the proposal by February 13, 2024.

• Notice of Proposal

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its State of the Market Report 2022 on Ontario's wholesale electricity market.

• MSP Reports

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) from Wellington North Power Inc., an electricity distributor. The AVC responds to non-compliance with the requirement to implement Green Button in Ontario by November 1, 2023.

• Enforcement Proceedings

The Cyber Security Advisory Committee, an industry-led committee consisting of representatives of Ontario's electricity utilities, has prepared version 1.1 of the Ontario Cyber Security Framework (OCSF) and the OEB has made it available online. It addresses third-party supply chain risks by aligning with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), while enhancing the evaluation and sustainment of a cyber security program by providing illustrative examples based on version 2.1 of the Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (C2M2).

• Ontario Cyber Security Framework

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from January 1 - March 31, 2024.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Priority Submetering Solutions regarding non-compliance with requirements of the Section 2.1 (5) of the Ontario Regulation 363/16 made under Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers Act, 2016 (ORECA).

• Enforcement Proceedings

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge Gas Inc. and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership will charge its customers for natural gas effective January 1, 2024.

• Decisions

The OEB has issued a letter initiating a review of the consumer protection framework for customers of Unit Sub-Meter Providers in Ontario. The letter sets out the objectives of the review, as well as the planned approach to research and stakeholder engagement activities.

• Review of Consumer Protection Framework for Customers of Unit Sub-Meter Provide…

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

Effective January 1, 2024, parties granted a temporary licence exemption by the OEB will also be exempt from certain provisions under the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, the Electricity Act, 1998, and the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010. These changes are intended to further facilitate innovation in the electricity sector.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to Amend the Distribution System Code regarding the connection of non-residential electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. These proposed amendments are intended to create a standardized and streamlined process for connecting charging facilities that require modifications or additions to the distributor's distribution system, such as the connection of public charging facilities that service multiple EVs and fleet charging stations designed for commercial use. We invite stakeholders to provide feedback to the proposal by January 19, 2024.

• Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Connections Review

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) from Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution Ltd. (NT Power), following an inspection into the company’s disconnection practices which were found to be non-compliant with OEB rules. This reflects the OEB’s ongoing commitment to consumer protection and fairness.

• News Release

The OEB is pleased to publish its mid-year Compliance Report (April - September 2023), which demonstrates how the OEB, as the independent regulator for the energy sector, is fulfilling its mandate to protect the interests of consumers and deliver public value.

• Compliance Report

The OEB has issued a draft Phase One Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) Framework for stakeholder feedback. This Phase One BCA Framework will advance guidance, methodologies, and tools to assist electricity distributors in identifying the full distribution-level impacts of non-wires solutions.

• Benefit-Cost Analysis Framework for Addressing Electricity System Needs

The OEB has published the 2024 Quarter 1 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has concluded the review of its current performance standards for natural gas facilities applications, and today issued updated standards that will apply to those applications filed on or after April 1, 2024.

• Letter

For the second year in a row, the OEB is proud to be recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers, the benchmark for workplace best practices.

• Ontario Energy Board Named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2024

The OEB has published its report to the minister, entitled, "Improving Distribution Sector Resilience, Responsiveness and Cost Efficiency." The report was prepared in response to the Minister of Energy’s Letter of Direction (October 2022), and submitted to the minister in June 2023. With input from sector stakeholders, the report outlines advice and proposals which reflect on current and anticipated future extreme weather impacts, best practices in climate change resilience, and options to enhance organizational capacity through efficiency measures.

• Distribution Sector Resilience, Responsiveness & Cost Efficiency

The OEB is pleased to announce the launch of Realizing Ontario’s Energy Advantage, a new digital timeline that showcases notable business activities, achievements, and milestones that support our strategic goals, business objectives and deliverables associated with Ministerial Letters of Direction. See what we’ve been up to!

• Realizing Ontario’s Energy Advantage

The OEB holiday timeout period will be from December 16, 2023, to January 7, 2024. During this period, the OEB will generally avoid issuing decisions and documents that require immediate action from recipients except in instances where it could impact the implementation of January 1st rates or time-sensitive approvals. The OEB will also consider requests by parties to issue documents during the holiday timeout period.

• Letter

The OEB has updated its Accounting Procedures for Electricity webpage to improve user experience through a new, modernized layout.

• Accounting Procedures for Electricity

The OEB and IESO have released their Joint Targeted Call Interim Report on distributed energy resource integration, providing an update on pilot projects supported by the OEB Innovation Sandbox and IESO Grid Innovation Fund. This partnership reflects each organization’s dedication to driving positive change in Ontario’s energy landscape, with the aim of enhancing grid efficiency, resiliency and sustainability while enabling customer choice in the face of evolving energy needs and technologies.

• Joint Targeted Call Interim Report

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Heidelberg Materials Canada Limited, an electricity wholesaler. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the electricity market without a wholesaler licence.

• Enforcement Proceedings

The OEB has issued for comment recommendations for changes to the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Emergency Financial Assistance.

• Cover Letter
• Report of the Ontario Energy Board - Review of LEAP EFA Program

The OEB has published it's “What We Heard” report summarizing stakeholder input from Policy Day 2023 on October 12, 2023. Alongside the sector, the OEB must adapt and evolve to enable the energy transition. The discussion and invaluable feedback we received will support our forward work plan for the next business planning cycle.

• Policy Day 2023

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Milton Hydro Distribution Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB is hosting a meeting to engage stakeholders on the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements (RRR) for Ontario’s licensed electricity distributors, as part of the RRR Consultation launched last fall. This meeting provides the OEB an opportunity to share information on upcoming changes to the RRR and gather feedback on future updates to ensure it is adapting to the needs of an evolving electricity sector.

• Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements Consultation

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from E.L.K. Energy Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

After a successful first term of the OEB’s Adjudicative Modernization Committee, the OEB is announcing its Term 2 membership.

• Adjudicative Modernization Committee – Term 2

The OEB has issued an accounting order for the establishment of a deferral account to record incremental cloud computing arrangement implementation costs.

• Accounting Order
• Appendix B - KPMG Report on Cloud Computing Costs

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 2024.

• Letter
• Cost of Capital Parameter Updates

The OEB has selected six projects to receive one-time total funding of $1.5 million to support innovation in the energy sector as part of its Innovation Sandbox Challenge.

• News Release

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from November 1, 2023.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has created a webpage containing information on how to access OEB records. A Records Request Form has been created to standardize the process for filing requests for public records. The Records Request Form should be used to request copies of public records from past adjudicative proceedings and/or consultations that are not currently available online. A Freedom of Information Request Form can also be accessed on this webpage.

• Accessing OEB Records

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts and Net Metering valid from November 1, 2023.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has published data files that mimic sections previously found in the Yearbook of Natural Gas Distributors. These files are in Microsoft Excel format and are intended to supplement the previously published Open Data files by providing users with an alternate means of viewing data submitted to the OEB under the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements.

• Natural Gas Distributor Yearbooks

The OEB has posted its adjudicative reporting dashboard to provide stakeholders with a semi-annual snapshot report for Q1 and Q2 of Fiscal 2023-2024, with a discussion of its adjudicative performance.

• Adjudicative Reporting Dashboard

The OEB has posted its adjudicative reporting dashboard to provide stakeholders with a semi-annual snapshot report for Q1 and Q2 of Fiscal 2023-2024, with a discussion of its adjudicative performance.

• Adjudicative Reporting Dashboard

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB is proud to release its 2022-2023 Annual Report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023.

• Annual Report

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Kitchener Utilities valid from November 1, 2023.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB is proud to be a 1st Place recipient in the 2023 Granicus Digital Government Awards. As a modern top quartile regulator, this award shines a spotlight on the encompassing work associated with the development and implementation of our Digital First Strategy, including use of our stakeholder engagement platform Engage with Us, an easy, accessible sister website to OEB.ca.

• 2023 Granicus Digital Government Awards

The OEB has published the Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) – 2022 Unit Cost and Econometrics Reports, which aims to encourage continuous improvement by regulated electricity distributors. The reports include unit cost results for 2022 and updated econometrics results using Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRRs) data reported for 2021 and 2022.

• Activity and Program-based Benchmarking Initiative

The OEB is releasing updated Open Data files that contain an additional year (2022) of reporting. Additionally, the OEB has transitioned Natural Gas Distributor Yearbooks to an Open Data format.  The OEB is also releasing Major Event Response Reporting dataset for electricity distributors. This data can be used to understand and evaluate the performance exhibited by electricity distributors in response to Major Events. Subsets of Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements (RRR) data, for both electricity and natural gas distributors, can now be accessed through the OEB’s Open Data platform.

• Letter

The OEB has initiated a review of its current performance standards for natural gas facilities applications, specifically Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, Municipal Franchise Agreements, Storage and Well Drilling. The OEB is considering updates to these standards and invites Interested stakeholders to participate in a meeting during which the proposed changes will be discussed.

• Performance Standards Update for Natural Gas Facilities Applications

The OEB has developed a resource document for stakeholders that provides an overview of the outcomes from the Regional Planning Process Review consultation. Ten documents were either amended or created and this overview includes a link to each.

• Regional Planning Process Review - Overview of Outcomes

The OEB has issued a letter which provides the calculations for 2024 preliminary Uniform Transmission Rates (UTRs) and facilitates their implementation in applicable 2024 electricity distributor rate applications. The OEB is issuing preliminary UTRs to improve regulatory efficiency.

• Letter

The OEB has made changes to the form and content of its Notices of Hearing (Notice), as well as how Notices are served and published.

• Letter

As part of its Reliability and Power Quality Review (RPQR) initiative, the OEB has established a new Transmission Subgroup to review the policy framework related to the current customer-specific reliability standards – called “customer delivery point performance standards” – that apply to electricity transmitters. The review includes the scope of those standards. The RPQR Transmission Subgroup held its first meeting today.

• Review of Transmission Reliability Framework

The OEB has issued a letter that sets out the process for nominations for Term #2 of the OEB’s Adjudicative Modernization Committee.

• Letter

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from October 1 - December 31, 2023.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has initiated a consultation to develop a Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) Framework for addressing electricity system needs. This BCA Framework will identify the full energy system benefits and costs of Distributed Energy Resource solutions.

• Benefit-Cost Analysis Framework for Addressing Electricity System Needs

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge Gas Inc. and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership will charge their customers for natural gas effective October 1, 2023.

• Decisions

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has enhanced its Regulatory Document Search (RDS) site, improving the effectiveness and user experience of this search engine when sourcing regulatory public records.

• Regulatory Document Search (RDS)

The OEB has issued guidance to electricity and natural gas distributors related to the terms and conditions between distributors and the third parties that customers may authorize to access their data via Green Button.

• Letter

The OEB has published the 2023 Quarter 4 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has published the 2022 Scorecards of Electricity Distributors. The scorecard measures how well Ontario’s electricity distributors are performing each year.

• 2022 Scorecards

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Entegrus Powerlines Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has established a working group to assess opportunities for reducing regulatory burden associated with the filing and review process of major rate applications for very small electricity distributors (those with fewer than 5,000 customers).

• Regulatory Efficiency for Very Small Utilities

The OEB has issued a letter summarizing recent guidance and resources to help electricity distributors in planning their systems for the efficient integration of electric vehicles (EVs). The letter also informs the sector of an expansion of scope to the Distributed Energy Resources Connections Review consultation to review matters relating to system readiness for EV charger connections.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a Bulletin providing guidance to distributors regarding the basic connection for residential customers. The Bulletin also reminds distributors of their obligations under the Distribution System Code (DSC) in relation to residential subdivision connections and service upgrades.

• Bulletin

The OEB has launched an enhanced interactive infographic that provides an at-a-glance overview of how OEB regulatory processes rely on parts of RRR from electricity distributors.

• Interactive Infographic

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Champagne Centre Ltd. following an OEB inspection into the company’s activities related to unit sub-metering. The inspection found that Champagne Centre Ltd., by conducting unit sub-metering activities without a licence, was non-compliant with sections 57(a) and (c.1) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers.

• Enforcement Proceedings

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from GrandBridge Energy Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has issued a Notice of Amendments to the Transmission System Code (TSC) and the Distribution System Code (DSC) 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.

• Regional Planning Process Review

The OEB has issued a letter that extends the compliance date to January 1, 2024, for distributors to offer net metered customers on the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) the choice between Tiered, Time-of-Use (TOU), and the new Ultra-low Overnight (ULO) pricing option.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter responding to Hydro One’s proposed fixed percentage approach to cost allocation in relation to designated broadband projects.

• Letter

The OEB has launched a consultation to engage stakeholders to review and update the OEB’s Handbook to Electricity Distributor and Transmitter Consolidations (MAADs Handbook), and associated Filing Requirements for Consolidation Applications.

• Evaluation of Policy on Utility Consolidations

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from August 1, 2023.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has issued a letter which introduces a new streamlined licence renewal application form for all electricity transmitters whose licenses will be expiring in 2023 and beyond. This new form will require transmitters to confirm information that is necessary for the licensing process, and only updates information where necessary.

• Letter
• Electricity transmission licence application

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has posted amendments to Rule 32 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure to provide greater clarity and transparency regarding the OEB’s approach to determining the format of hearings. The OEB has also posted a document on its website that sets out information for anyone attending an in-person adjudicative event.

• Rules of Practice and Procedure
• Information for In-Person Adjudicative Events

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Ellwood Energy Storage LP, an electricity storage provider. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the electricity market without a storage licence.

• Enforcement Proceedings

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 2024. The OEB is issuing this earlier than in prior years to improve regulatory efficiency.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Atikokan Hydro Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Atikokan Hydro Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has released its Compliance Report for fiscal year 2022-2023, demonstrating how it is fulfilling its mandate to protect consumer interests and deliver public value. Find out how the OEB is driving a culture of compliance among regulated entities.

• Compliance Report

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from July 1 - September 30, 2023.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge Gas Inc. and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership will charge its customers for natural gas effective July 1, 2023.

• Decisions

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Sioux Lookout Hydro Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB is making changes to Appendix C of the Distributed Energy Resources Connection Procedures (DERCP) as part of its ongoing DER Connections Review initiative. The changes will offer customers, who consider applying to connect a DER to a distribution system, valuable insights into potential connection complexities and risks, and enable them to make more informed decisions. These changes come into force on September 18, 2023.

• Distributed Energy Resources Connection Procedures (DERCP)

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has posted an updated version of Chapter 3 of the Filing Requirements for 2024 Rate Applications. As part of these updates, OEB is providing embedded or partially embedded distributors with an annual opportunity to update the Low Voltage Service Rates as part of their incentive-rate setting (IRM) application. This notable update will allow embedded or partially embedded distributors to address some regulatory lag by matching the Low Voltage Service rates charged to their customers to the cost they have to pay to their host distributor. These rates have historically only been updated during a rebasing application (typically once every five years).

• Filing Requirements

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Enbridge Pipelines Inc., an electricity wholesaler. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the electricity market without a wholesaler licence.

• Enforcement Proceedings

The OEB has published the 2023 Quarter 3 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB is inviting interested stakeholders to attend a webinar this month to discuss the Innovation Sandbox 2.0 Report (July 2020 to December 2022).

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Synergy North Corporation, an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has posted three reports on the Engage with Us IRP webpage that provide details on implementation of the Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning Framework (IRP). They include the Enbridge Gas 2022 Annual IRP Report, IRP Working Group’s 2022 IRP Annual Report and Use of the Discounted Cash Flow-Plus Test in Integrated Resource Planning.

• Natural Gas Integrated Resource Planning (IRP)

The OEB has issued an update to its Accounting Guidance Related to Commodity Pass-Through Accounts 1588 & 1589 resulting from the implementation of the Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) Regulated Price Plan option.

• Letter
• Accounting Procedures Handbook Update - Accounting Guidance
• Accounting Procedures Handbook Update - Accounting Guidance (tracked changes ve…
• Updated Illustrative Commodity Model

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

Open. Transparent. Modern. Innovative. The OEB’s Open Data Initiative has been showcased through the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) of Ontario’s Transparency Challenge as an impactful example of improved public sector transparency and how open data can and is improving the lives of Ontarians.

• IPC Transparency Challenge

Consumer Alert: Annual winter disconnection ban has ended.

• News Release

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from May 1, 2023.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Carmeuse Lime (Canada) Limited, an electricity wholesaler. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the electricity market without a wholesaler licence.

• Enforcement Proceedings

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is pleased to publish our 2023/24 - 2025/26 Business Plan, our guide as we continue to play a leadership role in Ontario’s energy transition.

• Business Plan

The OEB has released its inaugural Innovation Sandbox 2.0 report for the period of July 2020 to December 2022. Informed by stakeholder feedback, the report includes case studies of Sandbox projects, a discussion on the most common themes and barriers to innovation, and descriptions of the type of support that the Sandbox has provided.

• Innovation Sandbox 2.0 Report

The OEB has posted its adjudicative reporting dashboard to provide stakeholders with the final report for Fiscal 2022-2023, with a discussion of its adjudicative performance.

• Adjudicative Reporting Dashboard

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts and Net Metering valid from May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023. These templates incorporate revisions related to the new Ultra-Low Overnight Price Plan. To reduce regulatory burden on retailers, the disclosure statements and price comparison templates have also been redesigned to include only one format for both online and print versions.

• Price Comparison templates

The OEB has released a consultant report that examines electricity delivery rates for commercial EV charging and explores alternative rate design options that could support the efficient integration of EVs in Ontario. Stakeholders interested in participating and providing feedback on this report are invited to a meeting on May 24, 2023.

• Electric Vehicle Integration

The OEB has released an Addendum to the Regulated Price Plan Price Report (November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023).

• RPP Price Report (pdf)

On May 1, 2023, summer Time-of-Use (TOU) hours and the change in the Tiered threshold for residential customers under the OEB’s Regulated Price Plan will take effect and remain in place until October 31, 2023. Electricity prices for both remain unchanged. Also beginning May 1, 2023, electricity utilities that are ready to do so can offer residential and small business customers, the new Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) price plan. ULO has four price periods, one of which is a very low-priced overnight period. By November 1, 2023, all utilities must offer ULO to their customers.

• Summer Hours and New Price Plan Coming May 1

The OEB has posted the updated electricity supply mix data information for 2022. As per Ontario Regulation 416/99 made under the OEB Act, and the OEB’s Directive, this information is required to be disclosed to Ontario consumers.

• 2022 supply mix data

The OEB has issued the Innovation Handbook, a single, easy-to-access compendium of OEB policies and related materials that support energy sector innovation. The Handbook is intended to serve as a reference guide for sector innovators, provide awareness of the OEB’s work to date to support innovation and assist utilities in preparing applications that propose innovative approaches to meeting customer or system needs.

• Innovation Handbook

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its Monitoring Report on Ontario's wholesale electricity market.

• MSP Reports

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its Monitoring Report on Ontario's wholesale electricity market.

• MSP Reports

The OEB has issued Filing Guidelines for Incentives for Electricity Distributors to Use Third-Party DERs as Non-Wires Alternatives, which identifies the information distributors should include in their applications for incentive mechanisms. This new filing guidance is intended to encourage the use of third-party Distributed Energy Resources as non-wires alternatives, assist distributors in developing their incentive proposals and facilitate effective and timely regulatory review.

• Filing Guidelines for Incentives for Electricity Distributors to Use Third-Part…

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 and need to be replaced, as part of the regional planning process.

• Notice of Proposal

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from April 1 - June 30, 2023.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge Gas Inc. and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership will charge its customers for natural gas effective April 1, 2023.

• Decisions

The OEB has posted amendments to Rule 22 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure and the Practice Direction on Cost Awards, as well as new forms for interventions and a related Intervention Process Guidance Document.

• Rules of Practice and Procedure
• Practice Direction on Cost Awards
• Intervention Form
• Frequent Intervenor Form

The OEB has taken data transparency and accessibility one step further through the launch of its Interactive System Reliability Dashboard. The dashboard provides consumers with an interactive and customizable tool to better understand and visualize electricity distributors’ system reliability data including breakdown by cause codes. The dashboard provides monthly and annual data on reliability performance for a single electricity distributor, two electricity distributors presented side-by-side, as well as the electricity distribution industry as a whole.

• Interactive System Reliability Dashboard

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, an electricity wholesaler. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the electricity market without a wholesaler licence.

• Enforcement Proceedings

The OEB has issued a letter providing information about communication materials that electricity distributors can use to assist with the implementation of the Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) Price Plan, as well as introducing a new reporting requirement for distributors related to ULO.

• Letter

To help ensure public awareness of Green Button availability across the province, the OEB is publishing information on electricity and natural gas distributors’ implementation progress. This information is based on quarterly reporting submitted by distributors to the OEB.

• Green Button Implementation Progress

The OEB has issued updated Filing Requirements for Electricity Transmission Leave to Construct Applications and Related Matters. The updated Filing Requirements bring together the current legislative and policy frameworks applicable to leave to construct and expropriation applications and include filing requirements based on OEB practice.

• Electricity Transmission Leave to Construct Chapter 4 Filing Requirements

The OEB is inviting submissions to its Innovation Sandbox Challenge, which will focus on two themes: how to move pilots to broader implementation and innovative strategies to enhance consumers’ understanding of their role in the energy transition. The window for sending in statements of interest runs from April 3 to May 1, 2023.

• OEB Innovation Sandbox Challenge

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has published the 2023 Quarter 2 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB is seeking stakeholder feedback on revisions made to price comparison templates and consumer-facing materials related to third-party net metering and energy supply contracts to reflect the new Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) Price Plan. Comments are due by March 17, 2023.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter to Unit Sub-meter Providers (USMPs) which includes amendments to the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements (RRR) for the 2023 filing. The letter also provides an update on the RRR process and requirements for USMPs.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter to electricity distributors which includes a summary of changes to the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements (RRR) for the 2023 filing. The letter also highlights new RRR changes for the April 2024 filing and beyond, including a RRR amendment related to third party net metering.

• Letter

The OEB has issued the final Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code regarding the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) to local electricity distribution systems. The amendments are intended to provide further clarity and consistency in the process for connecting a DER. These amendments come into force on June 7, 2023.

• Notice of Amendments

The OEB is making changes to the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements (RRR) for electricity distributors as part of its ongoing Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Connections Review initiative. These RRR amendments will provide insight into the progress of Ontario’s energy transition.

• Letter

The OEB has released a draft report, Resilience in the Electricity Distribution Sector and Related Policy Questions, prepared by London Economics International (LEI), in support of its upcoming March 20, 2023 meeting with stakeholders regarding Distribution Sector Resilience, Responsiveness & Cost Efficiency. It has also set out April 25, 2023 as the date for the consultation’s second stakeholder engagement meeting.

• Distribution Sector Resilience, Responsiveness & Cost Efficiency

The OEB is making improvements to the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements for electricity distributors as part of its ongoing Reliability and Power Quality Review consultation.

• Reliability and Power Quality Review

The OEB has issued a letter confirming the membership of two advisory groups. The new Natural Gas Demand Side Management Stakeholder Advisory Group will provide input on the OEB’s natural gas conservation potential study and the makeup of Enbridge Gas’s next DSM plan application. The updated Evaluation Advisory Committee will continue to provide input on the OEB’s work to evaluate and verify Enbridge Gas’s DSM program results.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter to electricity retailers that includes information on Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRR) related to the monitoring of third-party net metering. The letter also provides an update on the RRR process and requirements for electricity retailers.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Dyno Nobel Nitrogen Inc., an electricity wholesaler. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the electricity market without a wholesaler licence.

• Enforcement Proceedings

Through 2023, the OEB will provide ongoing flexibility in relation to eligibility criteria for the Low-income Energy Assistance Program – Emergency Financial Assistance (LEAP EFA).

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Kingston Hydro Corporation, an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

With the introduction of the Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) price plan starting May 1, 2023, the OEB has developed new graphics to illustrate the ULO, Time-of-Use and Tiered price plans. The OEB has launched a survey to gather feedback on the proposed new designs to help ensure residential and small business customers understand and have access to simple, clear information when assessing their choice between the three price plans.

• Take the survey

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution Ltd., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has issued a letter providing guidance to electricity distributors on project cost apportionment to support the timely implementation of designated broadband projects.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter regarding enhancing cyber security readiness in the electricity sector.

• Enhancing Cyber Security Readiness in Ontario’s Electricity Sector

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Enova Power Corp. regarding non-compliance with the requirements of the Electricity Act, 1998 related to the settlement of commodity costs. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that commodity and global adjustment costs are collected and settled correctly.

• News Release

The OEB has issued a letter providing information on updates to the template for quarterly reporting of Green Button implementation by electricity and natural gas distributors.

• Green Button Implementation

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from North Bay Hydro Distribution Limited, an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from XOOM Energy ONT, ULC, a licensed electricity retailer and gas marketer, following an inspection into the company’s compliance with certain regulatory requirements for energy retailing.

• News Release

The OEB has released its consultant’s report on the results of its Electric Vehicle (EV) survey. The report provides insight from survey respondents related to system readiness, delivery costs and connections, and will support ongoing work related to the EV Integration initiative.

• Report on EV Survey Results

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Alectra Utilities Corporation, an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has released Framework for Energy Innovation: Setting a Path Forward for DER Integration.

• Framework for Energy Innovation: Setting a Path Forward for DER Integration
• Newsroom Feature

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from February 1, 2023.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has launched a consultation to inform a report for the Minister of Energy regarding proposals to improve distribution sector resiliency, responsiveness and cost efficiency in response to the challenges posed by climate change.

• Distribution Sector Resilience, Responsiveness & Cost Efficiency

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has issued a Bulletin that sets out staff’s view that electricity distributors must charge customers on the Regulated Price Plan based on the customer’s choice of price plans – that is, Time-of-Use or Tiered pricing – even if the customer is net metered.

• Bulletin

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to amend the Distribution System Code to provide further clarity and consistency in the process for connecting a distributed energy resource to an electricity distributor’s system. Anyone interested in providing written comments on the proposed amendments is invited to submit them by January 26, 2023.

• Notice of Proposal

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from January 1 - March 31, 2023.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge Gas Inc. and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership will charge its customers for natural gas effective January 1, 2023.

• Decisions

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Essex Powerlines Corporation, an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has issued a Bulletin that provides guidance to electricity distributors and the Independent Electricity System Operator on the administration of the rules in the Global Adjustment Regulation (O. Reg. 429/04) that allow Class A consumers to remain in the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) where their average monthly demand for electricity drops below the applicable eligibility threshold after participation in an eligible conservation initiative.

• Bulletin

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

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.

• Municipal Information Document

The OEB has taken a major step forward in piloting dynamic electricity prices for Class B consumers, which include mid-size commercial and light industrial consumers, not on the Regulated Price Plan (RPP). As part of a collaborative effort with the Independent Electricity System Operator, the OEB has issued draft application forms and accompanying guidance for the Non-RPP Class B Pilot Program.

• Dynamic Pricing Pilot for Non-RPP Class B Electricity Consumers

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.

• Municipal Information Document

The OEB has issued the final Notice of Amendments to the Standard Supply Service Code and Regulated Price Plan (RPP) Manual to enable electricity consumers on the RPP the option to enrol in the Ultra-Low Overnight Price Plan, starting May 1, 2023.

• Enabling the Implementation of an Ultra-Low Overnight Price Plan

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Wasaga Distribution Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has issued a Generic Hearings Protocol which outlines factors to be considered in deciding whether an issue should be considered in a generic hearing and decision-making in relation to the commencement of a generic hearing.

• Generic Hearings Protocol

The OEB has published the 2023 Quarter 1 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is proud to be recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2023, the benchmark for workplace best practices.

• Ontario Energy Board Named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Tillsonburg Hydro Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has published its report back on stakeholder input from Policy Day 2022 on October 13, 2022, where discussion focused on the energy transition. Policy Day is one of our most significant events. It’s an annual opportunity for us to provide a progress report to the sector and for stakeholders to provide input into our next forward work plan. We received invaluable feedback as we work to map the road ahead for the next business cycle.

• Policy Day 2022

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Elexicon Energy Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Orangeville Hydro Limited, an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has issued a letter that sets out a preliminary schedule of cost of service filers for the 2024 to 2027 rate years and establishes important filing and notification deadlines.

• Letter

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) holiday timeout period will be from December 17, 2022, to January 7, 2023. During this period, the OEB will avoid issuing decisions and documents that require immediate action from recipients or plan procedural steps, except in unique circumstances, such as where a delay might restrict implementation of January 1st rates or time-sensitive approvals.

• Letter

The Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) mid-year Compliance Report (April - September 2022) demonstrates how the OEB, as an independent regulator for the energy sector, is fulfilling its mandate to protect the interests of consumers and deliver public value.

• Compliance Report

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Oshawa PUC Networks Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

Ontario Energy Board issues decision on Hydro One Network Inc.’s first combined transmission and distribution rates application.

• News Release

In response to stakeholder feedback, the OEB has published data files that mimic sections previously found in the Yearbook of Electricity Distributors. These files are in Microsoft Excel format and are intended to supplement the previously published Open Data files by providing users with an alternate means of viewing data submitted to the OEB under the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements.

• Electricity Distributor Yearbooks
• OEB Open Data

The OEB is making improvements to its Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements for electricity distributors as part of its Reliability and Power Quality Review.

• Reliability and Power Quality Review

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Canada has recognized the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) with two Silver Leaf Awards of Merit, for our execution of innovative and effective communications strategies that have helped enable our modernization journey and evolution toward becoming a top-quartile regulator.

• News Release

The OEB has posted a report by the Green Button Industry-led Working Group that was established to support electricity and natural gas distributors in relation to the implementation of Green Button towards the November 1, 2023, deadline. The OEB has also issued a letter that responds to the report.

• Green Button Industry-led Working Group

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from ERTH Power Corporation, an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with its rate orders related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News Release

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from November 1, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has issued a letter inviting stakeholder comments on a draft update to Chapter 4 of the OEB’s Filing Requirements for Electricity Transmission Applications.

• Electricity Transmission Leave to Construct Chapter 4 Filing Requirements Update

The OEB is holding a stakeholder meeting on November 30, 2022, to continue discussions on further enhancement of Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB). The APB initiative is now located on the OEB’s digital engagement platform, Engage with Us. You are invited to register and complete a survey on the project page to help inform the OEB on other areas of APB that can be improved upon.

• Activity and Program-based Benchmarking
• Survey

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.

• Load Forecast Guideline for Ontario

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts valid from November 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB has posted Net Metering Price Comparison templates valid from November 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023.

• Price Comparison Templates

The OEB is launching a consultation to engage stakeholders on the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements (RRR) for Ontario's licensed electricity distributors. This consultation provides the OEB an opportunity to gather feedback from licensees and other interested stakeholders on ways in which the RRR can be streamlined to reduce regulatory burden and adapted to changes in the electricity sector.

• Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements Consultation

Ontario Energy Board announces changes to electricity prices for households and small businesses.

• News Release

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.

• Letter

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

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.

• Letter
• Cost of Capital Parameter Updates

The OEB has posted its adjudicative reporting dashboard to provide stakeholders a semi-annual snapshot report for Q1 and Q2 for Fiscal 2022-2023, with a discussion of its adjudicative performance.

• Adjudicative Reporting Dashboard

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to amend the Standard Supply Service Code (SSSC) and Regulated Price Plan (RPP) Manual to enable electricity consumers on the Regulated Price Plan the option to enrol in an Ultra-Low Overnight Price Plan, starting May 1, 2023.

• Notice of Proposal to amend the Standard Supply Service Code (SSSC) and Regulat…

The OEB is holding an Innovation Sandbox Challenge, a one-time funding opportunity of $1.5 million to support innovative projects in the energy sector and provide Innovation Sandbox guidance. The Challenge will tackle a specific theme that matters to the sector, and the OEB is seeking input on what that theme should be.

• OEB Innovation Sandbox Challenge

In response to a recommendation from the OEB’s Regional Planning Process Advisory Group (RPPAG), the OEB has issued a Bulletin that clarifies that a local community may choose an alternative solution to the optimal (i.e., 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.

• Bulletin

The OEB has released the 2021 Yearbook of Natural Gas Distributors. The Yearbook provides interested parties and the general public with financial and operational information collected from distributors.

• Yearbooks of Natural Gas Distributors

In response to a recommendation from the OEB’s Regional Planning Process Advisory Group (RPPAG), the OEB has issued an updated Bulletin that clarifies 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.

• Bulletin

The OEB has released the 2021 RRR data for electricity distributors. As part of our modernization mandate and in accordance with Ontario’s Digital and Data Directive, the OEB is transitioning the Yearbook of Electricity Distributors to an Open Data format.

• Letter

The OEB is proud to release its 2021-2022 Annual Report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.

• Annual Report

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from October 1 - December 31, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has developed an Action Plan, which identifies 11 projects to be completed over the next 18 months, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the adjudicative process.

• Framework for Review of Intervenor Processes and Cost Awards

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge Gas Inc. and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership will charge its customers for natural gas effective October 1, 2022.

• Decisions

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB is proud to announce we have won the 2022 CAMPUT Award for Innovation and Leadership, recognizing our Digital First Strategy which, in touching all areas of our operations, has significantly changed the ways we engage with the energy sector. Digital First has improved OEB's efficiency and effectiveness and supports Ontario’s Digital Government strategy.

• Announcement

The OEB has launched an initiative that showcases the work it is doing to support the energy transition, a global shift towards a more sustainable, renewable energy future that includes greater innovation and customer choice. As part of that work, the OEB is gathering feedback on stakeholder priorities it should consider related to the energy transition.

• Energy Transition

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Enbridge Gas Inc. following an OEB review into certain of its service quality requirements (SQRs). The review found that Enbridge Gas Inc. did not comply with its SQRs related to meter reading performance and telephone answering performance. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements.

• News release

The OEB has published the 2022 Quarter 4 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has posted the updated electricity supply mix data information for 2021. As per Ontario Regulation 416/99 made under the OEB Act, and the OEB’s Directive, this information is required to be disclosed to Ontario consumers.

• 2021 supply mix data

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Halton Hills Hydro Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to self-reported non-compliance related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News release

The OEB’s pilot initiative to issue final decisions and final rate orders twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, is now permanent, effective immediately.

• Letter

Today we issued the OEB Staff Report to the Ontario Energy Board: Review of 2022 Annual Update to Enbridge Gas Inc. Natural Gas Supply Plan. This report outlines the staff's assessment of Enbridge's annual update to the five-year natural gas supply plan.

• Review of 2022 Annual Update to Gas Supply Plan

The OEB has published the 2021 Scorecards of Electricity Distributors. The scorecard measures how well Ontario’s electricity distributors are performing each year.

• 2021 Scorecards

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from EPCOR Electricity Distribution Ontario Inc. following an OEB inspection into the company’s disconnection-related practices. The inspection found that EPCOR Electricity Distribution Ontario Inc.’s disconnection practices were non-compliant with OEB rules. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements.

• News release

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Chapleau Public Utilities Corporation, an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News release

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

To provide greater customer choice, the OEB is initiating a consultation to discuss how to enable implementation of an Ultra-Low Overnight Price Plan for electricity consumers on the Regulated Price Plan.

• Enabling the Implementation of an Ultra-Low Overnight Price Plan

The OEB has launched an enhanced, more user-friendly website for the Innovation Sandbox that improves transparency of the process and support available. Informed by stakeholder feedback, a key new feature is an “as-it-happens” dashboard that provides insights into projects receiving Sandbox support.

• OEB Innovation Sandbox

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from August 1, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has launched the next phase of the online portal for filing licence applications (new and renewals), another milestone in the OEB’s Digital First Strategy to improve and modernize service delivery. Five more forms are now available through the portal: Electricity Generation, Electricity Retailer, Gas Marketer, Electricity Storage and Unit Sub-Metering, in addition to the Electricity Wholesaler form launched in March. It features fully automated processes for user registration and digital signatures along with an e-payment system, offering a user-friendly experience for applicants and efficiencies for both the sector and the OEB.

• Online licence portal update

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has posted the electricity distributors' 2022 stretch factor assignments for the 2023 Incentive Rate Mechanism (IRM) rate-setting process. The benchmarking details and assignments are published in the Pacific Economics Group "Empirical Research in Support of Incentive Rate-Setting: 2021 Benchmarking Update" Report to the Ontario Energy Board.

• Benchmarking Update

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Kitchener Utilities valid from August 1, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has issued a letter inviting interested parties to a stakeholder meeting on July 28, 2022, to discuss the development of a dynamic pricing pilot program for Class B consumers that are not eligible for the Regulated Price Plan.

• Dynamic Pricing Pilot for Non-RPP Class B Electricity Consumers

The Framework for Energy Innovation Working Group, established to advise the OEB on the steps it can take to facilitate cost-effective use and integration of distributed energy resources, has delivered its Report to the OEB. Interested stakeholders are invited to comment on the Report and its recommendations.

• Framework for Energy Innovation

The OEB has approved changes to the prices EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership will charge its customers for natural gas effective July 1, 2022.

• Decisions

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership valid from July 1 - September 30, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB's Compliance Report (April 2021 – March 2022) demonstrates how the OEB, as an independent regulator for the energy sector, has been fulfilling its mandate to protect consumer interest and deliver public value over the course of the last fiscal year. Our goal is to promote a sustainable and efficient energy sector, for today and tomorrow, and our compliance and enforcement work is integral to this effort.

• Compliance Report

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Trilliant Networks (Canada) Inc., a unit sub-meter provider. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to the provision of sub-metering services without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has released the final consumer-facing materials and retailer forms related to third-party net metering.

• Letter
• Retailer forms and templates

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge valid from July 1 - September 30, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge Gas Inc. will charge its customers for natural gas effective July 1, 2022.

• Decisions

The OEB has published the 2022 Quarter 3 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has issued a Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code, Electricity Retailer Code of Conduct and Retail Settlement Code to facilitate regulatory changes to net metering and retailing that take effect July 1, 2022.

• Net Metering

All participants to our proceedings are reminded of the need to adhere to the OEB’s rules to protect personal information (as defined in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) that is contained in applications and other filings. In addition, the letter issued today identifies recent improvements we’ve implemented related to filings that contain personal or confidential information.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Compass Minerals Canada Corp., an electricity wholesaler. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the electricity market without a wholesaler licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB is seeking stakeholder feedback on consumer-facing materials and retailer forms related to third-party net metering. Comments are due by June 2, 2022.

• Net Metering

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts valid from May 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

Following the February 25th letter regarding changes to the Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) framework, the OEB has published a new APB report with unit cost results updated by OEB staff and econometric results updated by the project consultant, Pacific Economics Group Research LLC.

• Activity and Program-based Benchmarking

The OEB has made a revision to the recently posted OER notice form templates in response to comments from an LDC. The changes were made to the first statement in Part 2 (common elements) of both the English and French notice templates to make the language more consistent with the wording used in Regulation 216/22 amending Regulation 363/16.

• Revised OER notice form templates

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from May 1, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

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.

• Regional Planning Process Review

The OEB is initiating a consultation related to proposed amendments to the Distribution System Code, the Electricity Retailer Code of Conduct, and the Retail Settlement Code to facilitate regulatory changes to net metering and retailing that take effect July 1, 2022.

• Notice of Proposed Amendments

As part of its ongoing path to modernization, the OEB has issued an updated Cost Assessment Model (CAM). The OEB uses a CAM to allocate its operating costs appropriately to the payors and sub classes of payors liable for the OEB’s expenses and expenditures under Section 26 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998. The updated CAM came into effect on April 1, 2022, and will be in place until otherwise advised.

• Cost Assessment Model

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Algoma Steel Inc., an electricity generator. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the electricity market without a generator licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has posted its adjudicative reporting dashboard to provide stakeholders with the final snapshot report for fiscal 2021-22.

• Adjudicative Reporting Dashboard

On March 24, 2022, the OEB issued guidance to licensees regarding changes to the implementation of the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER). As mentioned in that letter, an updated OER notice form reflecting the changes for distributors to use is now available (in both English and French) including an instruction page for distributors in relation to filling out certain sections of the form. The use of this template is not mandatory. Distributors may revise it as appropriate, providing it contains all of the information required by section 1.3 of the General Regulation.

• Updated OER notice form

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

To meet growing energy needs created by EVs in the Ottawa area, the IESO and the OEB are supporting a new pilot project by BluWave-ai and Hydro Ottawa that will use artificial intelligence to manage EV charging during peak demand periods.

• News release

The OEB has released its Report to the Minister of Energy: Design of an Optional Enhanced Time-of-Use (TOU) Price and a supplemental report regarding the design of such a price.

• Report

The OEB has issued a letter raising awareness of a fraudulent email being circulated to entities we regulate. The sender is seeking financial information. Read below for more details about this scam and what to do if you receive a suspicious email from the OEB.

• Letter

In keeping with our desire to provide improved digital experiences to the sector and consumers, we’ve updated our What’s New notification service. It now offers a fresh, new design and a more personalized experience by allowing subscribers to choose the types of updates you’d like to receive from us. Note: current subscribers do not need to re-subscribe.

• Subscribe to What's New

The OEB has posted a Directive from the Minister of Energy regarding the development of new transmission lines in southwestern Ontario and a related Order in Council regarding the priority status of some of these projects.

• Directive from the Minister of Energy

The OEB has developed a Framework for Review of Intervenor Processes and Cost Awards, which identifies potential initiatives to enhance the OEB’s adjudicative process, particularly the role of intervenors within it, and seeks feedback from stakeholders.

• Framework for Review of Intervenor Processes and Cost Awards

The OEB has issued a letter setting out the OEB’s plan for the Reliability and Power Quality Review, after considering customer and other stakeholder feedback. A working group will be established to provide input on technical issues and challenges. Stakeholders interested in participating in the working group are invited to write to the OEB by April 15, 2022.

• Reliability and Power Quality Review

The OEB has launched a new online portal for filing licence applications, a key commitment in the OEB’s Digital First strategy. The portal is now open for Electricity Wholesalers to file licence applications online and use a new e-payment service. The remaining licence types will become available over the coming weeks, along with additional functionality enhancements.

• Apply for a wholesaler licence

The OEB has released its Natural Gas Facilities Handbook. The Handbook brings together the legislative and policy frameworks applicable to different types of applications that regularly come before the OEB for natural gas facilities approvals, including filing requirements based on OEB practice.

• Natural Gas Facilities Handbook

The OEB has implemented the launch of a pilot initiative that will see final decisions and final rate orders issued twice a week.

• Letter

The Ontario Energy Board and Independent Electricity System Operator are working with local electricity distributors and technology companies to help communities and businesses contribute to the province’s energy future. Four projects, representing a total investment of $37 million, will accelerate the adoption of local energy projects to help communities play an increasing role in providing for their own energy needs.

• News release

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR (Aylmer) valid from April 1 - June 30, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has issued guidance to licensees regarding changes to the implementation of the Ontario Electricity Rebate.

• Letter

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge and EPCOR (Aylmer) will charge its customers for natural gas effective April 1, 2022.

• Decisions

The OEB has issued a Bulletin that sets out staff’s position that it will not take compliance action against electricity distributors who, despite exercising due diligence, are unable to obtain smart meters due to current supply constraints.

• Bulletin

The OEB has issued the final Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code regarding the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) to local electricity distribution systems. The amendments are intended to improve connection timelines and provide clarity and consistency in the process for connecting a DER. These amendments come into force on October 1, 2022.

• Notice of Amendments

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Lafarge Canada Inc. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its Monitoring Report on Ontario's wholesale electricity market.

• MSP reports

The OEB has published the 2022 Quarter 2 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Greater Sudbury Hydro Inc., an electricity distributor. The Assurance responds to self-reported non-compliance related to overcharging customers as a result of a billing system error.

• News release

The OEB is pleased to provide this summary of improvements to the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements (RRR) for licensed electricity distributors. With a view to streamlining the filing process, a number of changes to the RRRs have been made and the useability of the filing portal is further refined.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from E.L.K. Energy Inc. following an OEB inspection into its record-keeping of asset conditions. The inspection found that E.L.K. Energy Inc. did not comply with certain provisions of the OEB’s Distribution System Code. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements.

• News release

The Province of Ontario has recently appointed Navneet Sekhon to the OEB’s Board of Directors, joining Chair Richard Dicerni and existing Board members Curt Allen, Marika Hare, John Knubley, Gerald Moncrief, Glenn O’Farrell, Carole Malo, Marie Oswald and Geoff Owen. With the addition of Ms. Sekhon, the Board continues its work to support OEB modernization, strengthen public trust, and provide strong leadership and good governance.

• Board of Directors

The OEB is announcing changes to the Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) framework in line with its commitment to drive utility performance and support efficiencies in the regulatory process. This letter sets out the specific changes to certain unit cost metric calculations and identifies the data points needed to support them.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Essar Power Canada Ltd. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to the generation and retailing of electricity without the required licences.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Kitchener Utilities valid from January 1, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has issued a letter providing information related to quarterly reporting that is intended to monitor implementation of Green Button by electricity and natural gas distributors.

• Green Button Implementation

To support the generation and adoption of new ideas and technologies within Ontario’s energy sector, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) unveiled its Innovation Sandbox 2.0 today.

• News release

The OEB has issued a letter inviting interested parties to a stakeholder meeting on February 17, 2022, to seek input on the design of an optional enhanced Time-of-Use price plan.

• Design of an Optional Enhanced Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has released Holding Utilities to Account – OEB Compliance and Enforcement Activity Report, which summarizes key compliance and enforcement highlights from April through September 2021.

• Report

The OEB has set new electricity prices for households and small businesses for January 18 to February 7, 2022 further to recent regulatory amendments. During that time, all consumers on the Regulated Price Plan will pay a fixed price of 8.2 ¢/kWh for all the electricity they consume, regardless of the time of day or the total volume consumed.

• Letter

The OEB has issued guidance to regulated entities on the implementation of the 8.2 ¢/kWh fixed price that will apply to consumers on the Regulated Price Plan for all electricity consumption from January 18 to February 7, 2022.

• Letter

To support Ontarians through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the OEB is once again temporarily increasing the flexibility of the Low-income Energy Assistance Program-Emergency Financial Assistance (LEAP EFA). In addition, the maximum value of grants amounts has been increased.

• Letter

The Province of Ontario has recently appointed Carole Malo to the OEB’s Board of Directors, joining Chair Richard Dicerni, and existing Board members Kurt Allen, Marika Hare, John Knubley, Gerald Moncrief, Glenn O’Farrell, Marie Oswald and Geoff Owen. With the addition of Ms Malo, the Board will continue its work to support the modernization of the OEB, to strengthen public trust and provide strong leadership and good governance.

• Board of Directors

The OEB has launched a new digital engagement platform, Engage with Us, that provides a centralized location for the OEB’s consultation projects and stakeholder advisory committees in a user-friendly environment.

• Engage with Us

The OEB has issued a Notice of Revised Proposal to Amend the Distribution System Code regarding connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) to local electricity distribution systems. The proposed amendments reflect stakeholder comments received on the proposed amendments that were issued on August 6, 2021, and are intended to improve connection timelines and provide clarity and consistency in the process for connecting a DER.

• Notice of Revised Proposal to Amend the DSC

The OEB is extending the date for stakeholder written comments on the Reliability and Power Quality Review (RPQR) initiative identified in the OEB’s November 30, 2021, letter to January 14, 2022.

• Letter
• Reliability and Power Quality Review

The Regional Planning Process Advisory Group (RPPAG) has 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.

• Regional Planning Process Review

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from January 1 - March 31, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

In keeping with steps we are taking to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory proceedings, the OEB initiated a consultation to review our Practice Direction on Confidential Filings. Today the OEB has posted a revised version as well as largely related revisions to the Rules of Practice and Procedure and the Rules of Practice and Procedure for Enforcement Proceedings.

• Letter
• Practice Direction on Confidential Filings

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge and EPCOR will charge its customers for natural gas effective January 1, 2022.

• Decisions

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

We’ve made a number of important changes to our corporate website to align with our modernization mandate and Digital First strategy aimed at providing modern digital services to the public. The enhancements also reflect feedback we’ve heard from our industry users who asked for greater transparency into our work and who rely on OEB.ca to carry out their regulatory responsibilities. The refreshed website will make it easier to do business with us, and is another clear example of how we're taking action to deliver public value.

• Check out the changes

The OEB has published the 2022 Quarter 1 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has issued its Jurisdictional Review of Intervenor Processes and Cost Awards. The OEB is moving forward by developing a Framework for the Review of Intervenor Processes and Cost Awards. This jurisdictional review is the first step. It has been done to identify best practices with respect to how other regulators determine who should be granted intervenor status and cost awards, and if costs are awarded, how the amount is determined. The jurisdictional review is intended to assist in identifying different approaches to intervenor processes for consideration in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the process.

• Framework for the Review of Intervenor Processes and Cost Awards

The OEB has issued a report on Residential and Small Commercial customer meters that have switched between Time-of-Use and Tiered pricing since the introduction of Customer Choice in October 2020.

• Frequency of Regulated Price Plan Switching Under Customer Choice

The OEB has issued a letter confirming the initial membership of the Technical Working Group that will provide input on the implementation of an integrated resource planning (IRP) framework for Enbridge Gas. IRP involves consideration of both traditional facility solutions and alternative supply- or demand-side solutions to meet Enbridge’s identified natural gas system needs.

• Letter

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.

• Letter

The OEB is launching a comprehensive review of reliability and power quality in the Ontario electricity sector.

• Reliability and Power Quality Review

The OEB is holding a meeting on December 9th to announce steps we’re taking to advance Activity and Program-based Benchmarking.

• Activity and Program-based Benchmarking

The OEB has released Holding Utilities to Account – OEB Compliance and Enforcement Activity Report, which summarizes key compliance and enforcement highlights for the last fiscal year.

• Report

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB issued a Decision and Order on the inflation factors to be used to set rates for certain electricity transmitters and electricity and natural gas distributors for 2022.

• Decision and Order

The OEB has issued a letter providing details related to the establishment of an industry-led working group that will support the implementation of Green Button by electricity and natural gas distributors.

• Green Button Implementation

Ontario Energy Board issues decision on Ontario Power Generation’s application for payment amounts.

• News release

The OEB has released the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) Pilot Meta-Analysis Final Report, which provides an analysis of the results of four pilot projects testing ten alternative RPP price plans and non-price features, along with recommendations stemming from that analysis.

• RPP Roadmap

The OEB has issued its Decision regarding the steps to be taken by Hydro One to eliminate its seasonal rate class.

• Decision and Order

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Hudson Energy Canada Corp. following an OEB inspection into electricity retail contracts that were signed without valid customer authorization.

• News release

The OEB has adopted a new protocol for adjusting adjudicative timelines as a result of material delays that arise from events outside of the OEB’s control. The OEB has also established a Holiday Timeout for the late December and early January period.

• Protocol for Adjusting Adjudicative Timelines

To support the implementation of Green Button by electricity and natural gas distributors, the OEB has issued a Notice of Amendments to the Retail Settlement Code, a letter setting out OEB staff responses to stakeholder comments on the letter issued October 12, 2021, OEB staff Guidance and an Accounting Order.

• Notice of Amendments to the Retail Settlement Code

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from November 1, 2021.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has issued a letter which sets out the Cost of Capital Parameter Updates for Cost of Service Applications with Rates effective in 2022.

• Letter
• Appendix
• Cost of Capital Parameter Updates

The OEB has published the 2020 Scorecards of Electricity Distributors. The scorecard measures how well Ontario’s electricity distributors are performing each year.

• 2020 Scorecards

The OEB has issued a Bulletin that expresses staff’s view that an electricity distribution customer can qualify as an "eligible generator" for net metering purposes where the customer operates but does not own a renewable energy generation facility.

• Bulletin

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts valid from November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022.

• Price comparison templates

Ontario Energy Board announces no change to electricity prices for households and small businesses.

• News release

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has issued a letter initiating the process to establish an Integrated Resource Planning Technical Working Group (“Working Group”) and seeks nominations from individuals interested in participating on the Working Group as non-utility members.

• Integrated Resource Planning Technical Working Group

The OEB has launched a new interactive online map that gives industry and consumers a user-friendly tool to find information about the service areas of Ontario’s natural gas and electricity utilities. This initiative is an important part of the OEB’s Digital First Strategy and takes us another step forward on the OEB’s modernization journey.

• Service Area Map

The OEB has launched a new adjudicative reporting dashboard to provide stakeholders a semi-annual snapshot report, with a discussion of its adjudicative performance.

• Adjudicative Reporting Dashboard

The Chief Commissioner of the OEB has issued a letter to stakeholders to provide a mid-year update for 2021-22.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to Amend the Retail Settlement Code (RSC) and a Letter setting out OEB staff draft guidance to support the implementation of Green Button by electricity and natural gas distributors.

• Notice of Proposal
• Letter

Ontario Energy Board Issues Decision on Wataynikaneyap Power LP’s First Rates Application.

• News release

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge and EPCOR will charge its customers for natural gas effective October 1, 2021.

• Decisions

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from October 1 - December 31, 2021.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has published the 2021 Quarter 4 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities. There is no change to the prescribed rates for 2021 Quarter 4.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities Inc. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to electricity bills issued based on individually metered usage without a unit sub-meter licence as required by the OEB.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has released the 2020 Yearbooks of Electricity and Natural Gas Distributors. The Yearbooks provide interested parties and the general public with financial and operational information collected from distributors.

• Distributor Yearbooks

The Province of Ontario has recently appointed Curt Allen, Marika Hare and Geoff Owen to the OEB’s Board of Directors. They join Chair Richard Dicerni, along with existing Board members John Knubley, Gerald Moncrief, Glenn O’Farrell and Marie Oswald. With these new members, the Board will continue its work to support the modernization of the OEB, to strengthen trust with the sector and provide strong leadership and good governance.

• Board of Directors

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its Monitoring Report on Ontario's wholesale electricity market.

• MSP reports

The OEB has posted the electricity distributors’ 2021 stretch factor assignments for the 2022 Incentive Rate Mechanism (IRM) rate-setting process. The benchmarking details and assignments are published in the Pacific Economics Group “Empirical Research in Support of Incentive Rate-Setting: 2020 Benchmarking Update" Report to the Ontario Energy Board.

• Benchmarking Update

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

Consumer Alert: Beware of continuing email and online rebate scams pretending to be from or endorsed by the Ontario Energy Board

• Consumer Alert

The OEB is commencing a proceeding on its own motion to consider the inflation factor to be used to set rates for electricity transmitters and electricity and natural gas distributors for the year 2022.

• Notice of Proceeding

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to Amend the Distribution System Code regarding connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) to local electricity distribution systems. The proposed amendments, which have been developed based on input from the OEB’s DER Connections Review Working Group, are intended to improve connection timelines and provide clarity and consistency in the process for connecting a generation or storage DER.

• Notice of Proposal to Amend the Distribution System Code

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Cytec Canada Inc. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

In keeping with steps we are taking to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory proceedings, we have posted a revised version of our Rules of Practice and Procedure. The revisions are related to Rules 40-43 dealing with motions to review, and certain administrative updates relating to definitions and general principles of interpretation.

• Rules of Practice and Procedure

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Enbridge Gas Inc., a gas distributor, following an inspection into the company’s disconnection-related practices. The inspection found that Enbridge Gas Inc. did not comply with certain regulatory requirements for disconnection notices. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements regarding disconnection.

• News release

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has issued a letter informing all rate-regulated electricity and gas distributors about an adjustment to their July 2021 OEB cost assessment invoices. The letter explains that funds from administrative monetary penalties collected by the OEB in regards to compliance matters have been used to reduce the distributors’ July cost assessment invoices on the expectation that the distributors will promptly supplement their LEAP-EFA budget for 2021 by the same amount. The letter also describes temporary changes to the screening guidelines for LEAP-EFA that are designed to help energy consumers most in need.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter initiating a consultation on the implementation of Green Button by electricity and gas distributors, including composition of a task force to assist the OEB in identifying additional guidance or direction that would support implementation.

• Green Button Implementation

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Air Products Canada Ltd. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

Consumer Alert: Beware of rebate scams pretending to be from or endorsed by the Ontario Energy Board

• Consumer Alert

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge and EPCOR will charge its customers for natural gas effective July 1, 2021.

• Decisions

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from July 1 - September 30, 2021.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB’s next step in implementing and operationalizing the OEB Stakeholder Engagement Framework is the establishment of a new standing committee, the Adjudicative Modernization Committee, that can be called upon to provide early advice to senior management and the Chief Commissioner and serve as a forum for informal discussions with industry stakeholders on matters related to adjudication process and policy. We are inviting nominations from the sector as we establish this committee.

• Letter

In order to better facilitate innovation, the OEB is initiating a consultation to renew its Innovation Sandbox.

• OEB Innovation Sandbox Renewal

IESO and OEB are joining forces to support innovative projects to help meet province’s growing energy needs.

• News release

The OEB has issued the Report of the Ontario Energy Board: Regulatory Treatment of Impacts Arising from the COVID-19 Emergency which establishes guidelines for the COVID-19 deferral account.

• Consultation on the Deferral Account

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has published the 2021 Quarter 3 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities. There is no change to the prescribed rates for 2021 Quarter 3.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Eacom Timber Corporation. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence. 

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB’s path to modernization includes developing a new and purposeful approach to stakeholder engagement. In renewing and expanding upon our commitment to enhanced engagement, we are establishing a new stakeholder advisory committee, the OEB Energy [X] Change. We are inviting nominations from the sector as we establish this committee. Members will serve as key contributors to our future planning discussions and prioritization processes.

• Letter

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB is evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of its regulatory proceedings. As part of this initiative, the OEB is proposing amendments to its Rules of Practice and Procedure related to motions to review, and has issued an invitation to stakeholders to provide comment on the proposed changes.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter confirming the membership of a working group and the priority workstreams to be undertaken in the near term for the Framework for Energy Innovation: Distributed Resources and Utility Incentives (FEI). The OEB has also issued a Terms of Reference for the FEI Working Group.

• Framework for Energy Innovation

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Milman Mining Inc. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts valid from May 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021.

• Price comparison templates

Consumer Alert: Beware misleading offers regarding COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program

• Consumer Alert

The OEB has issued guidance to electricity distributors related to the Global Adjustment “Peak Hiatus” and Eligibility for the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) for the 2021-2022 Adjustment Period.

• Bulletin

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from PUC Distribution Inc., a licensed electricity distributor, following an inspection into the company’s disconnection practices. The inspection found that PUC Distribution Inc. did not comply with certain regulatory requirements for disconnection. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements prior to disconnecting a customer.

• News release

Ontario Energy Board sets new electricity prices for households and small businesses.

• News release

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from ONIT Energy Ltd., a licensed electricity retailer, following an inspection into the company’s sales practices. The inspection found that ONIT Energy Ltd. did not comply with certain regulatory requirements for energy retailing. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements.

• News release

Effective immediately, the OEB is prohibiting electricity distributors from issuing disconnection notices to residential customers for the duration of the provincewide stay-at-home measures that took effect on April 8, 2021.

• News release

The OEB is posting the Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) results of 10 programs published in a Pacific Economics Group report to the OEB following a request for data from electricity distributors. The OEB plans to host a stakeholder meeting on May 6, 2021 to discuss the initiative and the expected use of the APB results in the regulatory process.

• Activity and Program-based Benchmarking

The OEB has adopted new performance standards for processing Leave to Construct and Motion to Review applications to take effect April 1, 2021.

• Letter
• Performance Standards

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Goldcorp Canada Ltd. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge and EPCOR will charge its customers for natural gas effective April 1, 2021.

• Decisions

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and EPCOR valid from April 1 - June 30, 2021.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has issued a letter setting out proposed priority workstreams to be undertaken in the near term and the approach to work in the Sector Evolution consultations: Utility Remuneration (EB-2018-0287) and Responding to Distributed Energy Resources (EB-2018-0288). The letter also announces the renaming of these consultations to Framework for Energy Innovation: Distributed Resources and Utility Incentives (EB-2021-0118).

• Framework for Energy Innovation: Distributed Resources and Utility Incentives

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

To simplify requirements for licensed electricity distributors, the OEB is making improvements to the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements (RRR) and has identified changes to the Electricity Distributor Scorecard.

• Letter

The OEB has posted the updated electricity supply mix data information for 2020. As per Ontario Regulation 416/99 made under the OEB Act, and the OEB’s Directive, this information is required to be disclosed to Ontario consumers.

• 2020 supply mix data

The OEB has posted its report on the 2019 results of LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance (LEAP EFA).

• Report on 2019 Program Results

The OEB has published the 2021 Quarter 2 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has posted revised versions of its Rules of Practice and Procedure and Practice Directions. The revisions are primarily administrative in nature, and reflect the recent changes to the OEB’s governance structure and its digitization initiative.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Essex Powerlines Corporation following a self-report by the company regarding non-compliance with the regulatory requirements for disconnection. The OEB is committed to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfill all of their regulatory requirements prior to disconnecting a customer.

• News release

Beginning February 23, 2021, residential and small business customers will resume paying Time-of-Use and Tiered pricing under the Regulated Price Plan at prices that were set by the Ontario Energy Board on December 15, 2020.

• News release

Electricity distributors and other regulated entities are reminded that the fixed pricing of 8.5 ¢/kWh for Regulated Price Plan (RPP) consumers will expire at the end of the day on February 22, 2021. At the beginning of the day on February 23, 2021, RPP consumers will return to Time-of-Use and Tiered pricing at the RPP prices set by the OEB on December 15, 2020.

• Letter

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

The OEB has issued a reminder to all licensed entities and stakeholders about its regulatory standard hours of operations, as well as a list of the OEB office closures for 2021.

• Letter

The OEB has re-issued the January 1, 2021 – April 30, 2021 Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts (non-residential only) due to a formatting error. Electricity retailers should begin using the updated Price Comparison templates as soon as possible and in any case, no later than February 19th.

• Price comparison templates

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its Monitoring Report on Ontario's wholesale electricity market.

• MSP reports

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Provident Energy Management Inc., a licensed unit sub-meter provider, following an OEB inspection into the company’s disconnection practices. The inspection found that Provident Energy Management Inc. did not comply with certain regulatory requirements for disconnection. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements prior to disconnecting a customer.

• News release

The OEB has extended the current fixed Regulated Price Plan price of 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour until the end of the day February 22, 2021.

• Letter

Consumer Alert: No home inspection required for COVID-19 Energy Assistance Programs

• Consumer Alert

The OEB has extended the current fixed Regulated Price Plan (RPP) price of 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour until February 9, 2021.

• Letter

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from February 1, 2021.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Alectra Energy Services Inc., a licensed unit sub-meter provider which provides services to consumers under the trade name PowerStream Energy Services, following an OEB inspection into the company’s disconnection practices. The inspection found that Alectra Energy Services Inc. did not comply with certain regulatory requirements for disconnection. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements prior to disconnecting a customer.

• News release

The OEB has released an updated variance settlement factor that is to be used by electricity distributors to calculate a one-time credit or charge for consumers who choose to stop purchasing electricity through the Regulated Price Plan. This factor is called the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor" and is updated on the OEB website monthly.

• RPP Variance Settlement Factor

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.

• Regional Planning Process Review

The OEB has posted a DER Impact Study prepared by ICF. The OEB has also issued a letter inviting stakeholders to a meeting to discuss the results of LEI’s COVID-19 Impact Studies and ICF’s DER Impact Study.

• Responding to Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from InnPower Corporation following an OEB inspection into the company’s regulatory accounting processes. The inspection found that the company charged rates to its customers that did not comply with an OEB rate order. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements.

• News release

The OEB has issued guidance to electricity distributors regarding the recovery of the Global Adjustment charges that were previously deferred for the months of April, May and June 2020.

• Letter

The OEB has posted a Directive from the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines regarding a new Chatham to Lakeshore transmission line.

• Directives issued to the OEB

The OEB has set new electricity prices for households and small businesses for January 1 to January 28, 2021. In accordance with regulatory amendments made today, all consumers on the Regulated Price Plan will pay a fixed price of 8.5 ¢/kWh for all the electricity they consume, regardless of the time of day or the total volume consumed.

• Letter

The OEB has issued guidance to regulated entities on the implementation of the 8.5 ¢/kWh fixed price that will apply to all electricity consumption from January 1 to January 28, 2021 by consumers on the Regulated Price Plan.

• Letter

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its Monitoring Report on Ontario's wholesale electricity market.

• MSP reports

Ontario Energy Board sets new electricity prices for households and small businesses.

• News release

The OEB has released its Report to the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and to the Associate Minister of Energy: Potential Projects to Expand Access to Natural Gas Distribution.

• Report: Potential Projects to Expand Access to Natural Gas Distribution

The OEB has 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.

• Regional Planning Process Review

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Caesars Entertainment Windsor Limited. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has issued two letters providing guidance to distributors to support the efficient and timely connection of customers with Distributed Energy Resources (DER) projects. The letters reflect recommendations and advice from the DER Connections Review Working Group. One of the letters provides clarity on the information that should be exchanged between DER proponents and distributors at the preliminary consultation stage of a DER connection project. This information will assist proponents in determining if it is feasible to proceed to the connection impact assessment stage of their project. The second letter provides information for distributors to aid discussions with prospective DER proponents in relation to a sample protection philosophy for use with connection projects intended for self-supply that use non-exporting, inverter-based technologies.

• Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Connections Review

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from E.L.K. Energy Inc. following an OEB inspection into the company’s disconnection practices. The inspection found that E.L.K. Energy Inc. did not comply with certain regulatory requirements for disconnection. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements prior to disconnecting a customer.

• News release

The OEB has issued a letter which sets out the Inflation Parameter Updates for Incentive Rate-Making Applications with Rates effective in 2021. The OEB notes that it is not mandatory that the calculated inflation factor be adopted for rate adjustments. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the OEB is providing utilities to adopt an inflation factor less than that calculated by the OEB’s methodology for each sector. Utilities applying for 2021 rate adjustments must inform the OEB of their choice in accordance with the directions in the letter.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter which sets out the Cost of Capital Parameter Updates for Cost of Service Applications with Rates effective in 2021.

• Letter
• Cost of Capital Parameter Updates

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from ENWIN Utilities Ltd. following an OEB inspection into the company’s disconnection practices. The inspection found that ENWIN Utilities Ltd. did not comply with certain regulatory requirements for disconnection. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements prior to disconnecting a customer.

• News release

The OEB is undertaking a pilot project aimed at enhancing transparency of the status of OEB proceedings. The pilot includes five applications filed with the OEB that are currently before a panel of Commissioners.

• Pilot Project - Status of Applications

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Rideau St. Lawrence Distribution Inc. following an OEB inspection into the company’s disconnection practices. The inspection found that Rideau St. Lawrence Distribution Inc. did not comply with certain regulatory requirements for disconnection. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements prior to disconnecting a customer.

• News release

The OEB has published the 2019 Scorecards of Electricity Distributors. The scorecard measures how well Ontario’s electricity distributors are performing each year.

• 2019 Scorecards

The OEB has approved separate agreements, one between Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), and the other between Portlands Energy Centre L.P. (PEC LP) and the IESO, which establish a process for assessing ongoing compliance with the “must offer” condition in OPG’s and PEC LP’s generation licences. The must offer condition, which the OEB added to the licences on April 9, 2020 following the acquisition by PEC LP (an OPG subsidiary) of additional generation facilities, requires OPG and PEC LP to offer all available generating capacity into the electricity markets administered by the IESO.

• Letter to OPG
• Letter to PEC LP
• OPG - Must-Offer Condition Agreement
• PEC LP - Must-Offer Condition Agreement

Ontario Energy Board sets new electricity prices for households and small businesses.

• News release

The OEB has issued a letter to remind regulated entities and others about protecting personal information in their filings to the OEB.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from ONIT Energy Ltd. following an OEB inspection into customers that were entered into electricity retail contracts or supplied natural gas without valid customer authorization. The inspection found that ONIT Energy Ltd. did not comply with certain provisions of the OEB’s Electricity Retailer Code of Conduct and Retail Settlement Code. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements.

• News release

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution Ltd. following an OEB inspection into the company’s disconnection practices. The inspection found that Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution Ltd. did not comply with certain regulatory requirements for disconnection. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfil all of their regulatory requirements prior to disconnecting a customer.

• News release

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from St. Marys Cement Inc. (Canada). The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has issued the final Notice of Amendments to the Standard Supply Service Code (SSSC) to enable electricity consumers on the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) to opt out of time-of-use prices and to elect instead to be charged on the basis of tiered pricing.

• Notice of Amendments

The OEB has posted the electricity distributors’ 2020 stretch factor assignments for the 2021 Incentive Rate Mechanism (IRM) rate-setting process. The benchmarking details and assignments are published in the Pacific Economics Group “Empirical Research in Support of Incentive Rate-Setting: 2019 Benchmarking Update" Report to the Ontario Energy Board.

• Benchmarking Update

Beginning Monday, August 31, 2020, small businesses and registered charities can apply for financial support under the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) if they are eligible for the program.

• News release

The OEB has issued a revised Notice of Proposal to Amend the Standard Supply Service Code (SSSC) to enable electricity consumers on the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) to opt out of time-of-use prices and to elect instead to be charged on the basis of tiered pricing.

• Revised Notice of Proposal

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Plant-E Corp. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has released the 2019 Yearbooks of Electricity Distributors and Natural Gas Distributors. The Yearbooks provide interested parties and the general public with financial and operational information collected from distributors.

• Distributor Yearbooks

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. following an OEB inspection into the company’s disconnection practices. The inspection found that Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. did not comply with certain regulatory requirements for disconnection. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfill all of their regulatory requirements prior to disconnecting a customer.

• News release

To support the implementation of the government’s new COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program – Small Business (CEAP-SB), on August 7, 2020, the OEB issued a Decision and Order amending the licences of electricity distributors and unit sub-meter providers to require them to deliver CEAP-SB to their eligible customers. The OEB also issued letters to four natural gas distributors setting out its expectations for their delivering CEAP-SB to their eligible gas customers. The program will launch on August 31, 2020.

• COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program – Small Business

OEB staff has issued a Bulletin that expresses staff’s view that behind-the-meter storage assets may be considered a distribution activity if the main purpose is to remediate comparatively poor reliability of service.

• Bulletin

The OEB has issued the COVID-19 Forgone Revenue Rate Rider Model and associated accounting guidance to assist those distributors that wish to seek recovery of forgone revenue arising as a result of the postponed implementation of 2020 rates due to the COVID-19 emergency. The OEB also issued an Accounting Order accompanying this guidance, which establishes a new sub-account, Impacts Arising from the COVID-19 Emergency Account, Sub-account Forgone Revenues from Postponing Rate Implementation.

• Forgone Revenue Guidance and Accounting Order

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its Monitoring Report on Ontario's wholesale electricity market.

• MSP reports

The OEB has issued a letter providing guidance to electricity and natural gas distributors and unit sub-metering providers related to enhanced funding for LEAP EFA.

• Letter

The OEB has posted a summary of stakeholder comments received in response to its June 17th letter seeking input on virtual hearings.

• Virtual Hearings at the OEB

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to Amend the Standard Supply Service Code (SSSC) to enable electricity consumers on the Regulated Price Plan to opt out of time-of-use prices and to elect instead to be charged tiered prices, starting November 1, 2020.

• Notice of Proposal

Beginning Monday, July 13, 2020, residential energy customers can apply for financial support under the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) if they meet the eligibility criteria for the program. CEAP provides a one time, on-bill credit to help eligible residential customers affected by COVID-19 catch up on their energy bills.

• News release

The OEB has issued guidance to electricity and natural gas utilities regarding customer service rules related to disconnection of service for non-payment.

• Letter

The OEB is initiating a consultation to review EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership’s five-year natural gas supply plan in accordance with the gas supply plan assessment process established in the OEB’s Report of the Board: Framework for the Assessment of Distributor Gas Supply Plans.

• Review of 2020 Gas Supply Plans

As part of our commitment to make regulatory processes more efficient and provide clear and timely guidance to industry, on June 23, the OEB held an orientation session for electricity distributors that plan to file major rate applications in 2021 or 2022. The OEB also hosted a seminar on June 25 for all electricity distributors regarding accounting matters.

• Meeting materials

The OEB is pleased to announce the launch of its Digitization Program - a transition to an entirely electronic record for all regulatory proceedings, permanently eliminating the filing requirement of submitting two hard copies of documents.

• Letter

The OEB has posted the updated electricity supply mix data information for 2019. As per Ontario Regulation 416/99 made under the OEB Act, and the Board’s Directive, this information is required to be disclosed to Ontario consumers.

• 2019 supply mix data

The OEB has issued a letter to all registered stakeholders seeking input on virtual hearings.

• Letter

To support the implementation of the government’s new COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), on June 16, 2020, the OEB issued a Decision and Order amending the licences of electricity distributors and unit sub-meter providers to require them to deliver CEAP to their eligible customers. The OEB also issued letters to four natural gas distributors setting out its expectations for their delivering CEAP to residential gas customers. The program will launch on July 13, 2020.

• Decision and Order

The OEB is initiating a consultation to enable customers on the Regulated Price Plan to opt out of time-of-use pricing.

• Consultation

The OEB has issued a letter providing guidance to distributors and other regulated entities on the implementation of changes to time-of-use prices as of June 1, 2020.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter to provide an overview of amendments made today by the Government of Ontario to the regulation governing the Global Adjustment (O. Reg. 429/04) to account for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter also provides answers to some frequently asked questions related to the Industrial Conservation Initiative.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Wesdome Gold Mines. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has issued a letter to provide clarification on certain aspects of the temporary reporting requirement related to the financial situation of electricity distributors during the COVID-19 emergency.

• Letter

The OEB has issued guidance to electricity distributors on implementing the Emergency Order regarding the deferral of a portion of the Global Adjustment. This version of the letter corrects a typographical error in the May 15, 2020 original version in relation to the description of how the invoiced Global Adjustment rate/kWh is to be calculated.

• Letter

The OEB is extending the deadline to file project information for the Potential Projects to Expand Access to Natural Gas Distribution consultation to August 4, 2020. We provide this extra time to support proponents who wish to make a submission but are otherwise focused on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

• Letter

The OEB is commencing a consultation on a deferral account, established in relation to the impacts arising from the COVID-19 emergency, approved for all rate-regulated utilities in the electricity and natural gas sectors and Ontario Power Generation Inc.

• Consultation on the Deferral Account

The OEB has issued a letter that sets out new temporary reporting requirements to facilitate the OEB’s monitoring of the financial situation of electricity distributors during the COVID-19 emergency.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Wholesale Energy Sys. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to retailing electricity without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has issued a letter asking interested proponents in the Potential Projects to Expand Access to Natural Gas Distribution consultation to identify any project proposals that may not be completed by the June 3, 2020 deadline due to the COVID-19 emergency.

• Letter

The OEB has issued an accounting order for the establishment of deferral accounts to record impacts arising from the COVID-19 emergency for Ontario Power Generation Inc. and Electricity Transmitters.

• Accounting Order

Consumer Alert: Beware of scams during the COVID-19 emergency

• Consumer Alert

The OEB has issued a letter to electricity unit sub-meter providers, electricity retailers and gas marketers regarding their Reporting and Record-Keeping Requirements (RRR).

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter to electricity transmitters regarding their quarterly and annual Reporting and Record-Keeping Requirements (RRR) submissions.

• Letter

Ontario Energy Board to defer setting summer electricity prices for households and small businesses.

• News release

The OEB has issued additional clarification and guidance to electricity distributors on the Regulated Price Plan settlement with respect to the Emergency Order.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Arauco Canada Ltd. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has issued a letter to electricity distributors regarding their annual RRR submissions.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter providing guidance to unit sub-meter providers on providing relief to customers during the COVID-19 emergency.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter providing guidance to electricity and natural gas distributors on providing relief to customers during the COVID-19 emergency.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a Final OEB Staff Report to the OEB: Consultation to Review Natural Gas Supply Plans. The Final OEB Staff Report sets out OEB staff’s assessment of Enbridge Gas Inc.’s five-year natural gas supply plans.

• Consultation to Review Natural Gas Supply Plans

The OEB has issued an accounting order for the establishment of deferral accounts to record impacts arising from the COVID-19 Emergency.

• Accounting Order

The OEB has issued guidance to regulated entities to assist them in implementing the Government of Ontario’s March 24, 2020 Emergency Order. This Emergency Order fixes the electricity commodity price for Regulated Price Plan customers who are paying time-of-use prices at the off-peak price of 10.1¢/kWh for every hour of every day. The Government has indicated that the emergency pricing will be in place for 45 days.

• Letter

The OEB is extending the filing deadline for annual Reporting and Record-Keeping Requirements (RRR) to June 1, 2020.

• Letter

Effective immediately, the OEB is extending the current ban on electricity disconnections for non-payment for residential customers to July 31, 2020. Low-volume, small business customers will now also be protected by the ban. In addition, the OEB is calling on distributors to be more flexible on arrears payment arrangements.

• Decision and Order

Covid-19 Updates

The OEB is taking a number of measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Updates

The OEB is temporarily waiving the requirement to submit hard copies with each electronic filing in regulatory proceedings. We ask those who are engaged in active OEB proceedings to continue submitting electronic copies of documents through the online portal, RESS (Regulatory Electronic Submission System), or, if you are unable to use the portal, by email at BoardSec@oeb.ca. This is in effect immediately and until further notice.

• OEB filing systems

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from CP Energy Marketing L.P. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB is taking steps to help protect our staff, stakeholders and consumers with regard to COVID-19. The situation is evolving rapidly and we continue to monitor public health authority websites. We are following recommended guidelines and are taking responsible precautions in light of the World Health Organization’s pandemic declaration yesterday. The OEB is continuing the execution of our work and decision-making with operational changes outlined in this letter, effective immediately.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Red Lake Gold Mines. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has issued its final Guidelines for Potential Projects to Expand Access to Natural Gas Distribution. Interested project proponents that wish to file project information for inclusion in the OEB’s report to the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines must do so by June 3, 2020.

• Final Guidelines

New OEB customer service rules that strengthen protection for electricity and natural gas consumers took effect on March 1, 2020. As a result of an extensive review, the electricity sector rules have been enhanced, and now also apply to rate-regulated gas utilities.

• News release

The OEB has issued guidance to licensees regarding changes to the implementation of the Ontario Electricity Rebate.

• Letter

Consumer Alert: Protect your personal information – Save on Energy does not solicit participation in their programs

• Consumer Alert

The OEB has issued a letter to announce the implementation of an improved system for electric distributors to file their Reporting and Record keeping Requirements (RRR), as well as improvements to the RRR for major event response reporting.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter outlining next steps in its integrated consultation processes on Utility Remuneration and Responding to DERs.

• Letter

The OEB has posted its report on the 2018 results of LEAP – Emergency Financial Assistance (LEAP EFA).

• Report on 2018 Program Results

The OEB has approved changes to the prices EPCOR will charge its customers for natural gas effective January 1, 2020.

• Decision

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its Monitoring Report on Ontario's wholesale electricity market for the period between May 2017 and October 2017.

• MSP reports

The OEB has issued a letter with draft Guidelines for Potential Projects to Expand Access to Natural Gas Distribution for stakeholder comment.

• Letter and draft Guidelines

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge will charge its customers for natural gas effective January 1, 2020.

• Decision

The OEB has issued a Draft OEB Staff Report on the Consultation to Review Natural Gas Supply Plans. Issued for comment, the report sets out OEB staff’s initial assessment of Enbridge Gas Inc.’s five-year natural gas supply plans.

• Draft OEB Staff Report

Consumer Alert: Protect your personal information – OESP does not solicit door-to-door

• Consumer Alert

The OEB has posted a letter from the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, with the support of the Associate Minister of Energy, asking the OEB to examine and report back on potential natural gas expansion projects. The OEB’s report will be an input to assist the government in making a determination on future expansion projects. This letter was issued under section 35 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998.

• Letter

The OEB has published the 2020 Quarter 1 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has issued further guidance to licensees regarding implementation of the Ontario Electricity Rebate.

• Bulletin

The OEB has issued a letter that provides accounting guidance for changes to the Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers Act, 2016, RPP Settlement, and resuming the Final RPP Variance Settlement.

• Letter

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Elexicon Energy Inc. following an OEB inspection into the company’s disconnection practices. The inspection found that Elexicon Energy Inc. did not comply with certain regulatory requirements for disconnection. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies fulfill all of their regulatory requirements prior to disconnecting a customer.

• News release

The OEB has issued the Input Price Index of 2.0% to be used as the inflation adjustment for rates adjusted through the Price Cap IR and Annual Index plans for electricity distribution rates effective in 2020.

• Input Price Index

The OEB has issued a letter which sets out the Cost of Capital Parameter Updates for Cost of Service Applications with Rates effective in 2020.

• Cost of Capital

The OEB has issued a letter providing notice of its approach to addressing accounting or other errors in respect to certain "pass-through" variance accounts after final disposition.

• Letter

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts valid from November 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has issued a Notice of Amendments to Codes of Conduct to introduce formal requirements for a Consumer Complaints Response Process for Energy Retailers.

• Notice of Amendments

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from NOVA Chemicals (Canada) Ltd. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence. 

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has issued guidance to licensees regarding implementation of the Ontario Electricity Rebate.

• Letter

Ontario Energy Board sets new electricity prices for households and small businesses.

• News release

The OEB and the IESO have completed the first integrated electricity and natural gas conservation achievable potential study. The final report, prepared by Navigant Consulting, is now available.

• Natural Gas Conservation Potential Studies

The OEB has published the 2018 Scorecards of Electricity Distributors. The scorecard measures how well Ontario’s electricity distributors are performing each year.

• 2018 Scorecards

Consumer Alert: Beware of disconnection scams

• Consumer Alert

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge and EPCOR will charge its customers for natural gas effective October 1, 2019.

• Decisions

The OEB has published the 2019 Quarter 4 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Wyse Meter Solutions Inc. following an OEB inspection into the company’s information disclosure and billing practices that found that the company was not complying with certain legal and regulatory requirements. This reflects the OEB’s commitment to protecting consumers by ensuring that regulated companies comply with their obligations.

• News release

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Festival Hydro Inc. regarding non-compliance with requirements of the Electricity Act, 1998 and the OEB’s Retail Settlement Code. This reflects the importance the OEB places on protecting consumers by ensuring that commodity and global adjustment costs are collected and settled correctly.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Alexian Energy Services Inc. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to engaging in unit sub-metering without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has released the 2018 Yearbooks of Electricity Distributors and Natural Gas Distributors. The Yearbooks provide interested parties and the general public with financial and operational information collected from distributors.

• Distributor Yearbooks

The OEB has posted the electricity distributors’ 2019 stretch factor assignments for the 2020 Incentive Rate Mechanism (IRM) rate-setting process published  in the Pacific Economics Group “Empirical Research in Support of Incentive Rate-Setting: 2018 Benchmarking Update" Report to the Ontario Energy Board.

• Benchmarking Update

The OEB is commencing an initiative to review its requirements in regard to the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) by licensed electricity distributors. The OEB has issued a letter with proposed approach and issues to be considered.

• DER Connections Review

The OEB has issued a Bulletin that provides guidance to electricity distributors on whether an approved "Notification Charge" may be applied to a customer in relation to collection activities.

• Bulletin

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to amend Codes of Conduct to introduce formal requirements for a Consumer Complaints Response Process for Energy Retailers.

• Consumer Complaints Response Process

The OEB has issued accounting direction regarding bill C-97 and other changes in regulatory or legislated tax rules for capital cost allowance.

• Accounting direction

The OEB is initiating a consultation to review Enbridge Gas Inc.'s five-year natural gas supply plan. The consultation will include a review of cost-effectiveness, reliability and security of supply, risk management and execution of Enbridge's plan.

• Consultation to Review Natural Gas Supply Plans

The OEB has issued a letter outlining its updated stakeholder engagement approach in respect of the integrated consultation processes on Utility Remuneration and Responding to DERs, and how interested stakeholders may participate.

• Utility Remuneration
• Responding to Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)

The OEB has posted additional information related to the 2018 Ontario electricity supply mix data.

• 2018 supply mix data

The OEB has posted the updated electricity supply mix data information for 2018. As per Ontario Regulation 416/99 made under the OEB Act, and the Board’s Directive, this information is required to be disclosed to Ontario consumers.

• 2018 supply mix data

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge and EPCOR will charge its customers for natural gas effective July 1, 2019.

• Decisions

The OEB has issued a letter advising interested stakeholders of the status of its policy initiatives during the transition to the new governance structure.

• Letter

The OEB has published the 2019 Quarter 3 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Essar Steel Algoma Inc. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement Proceedings

The OEB has issued an accounting guidance on the IESO invoice charge type 2148, Class B Global Adjustment Prior Period Correction Settlement Amount.

• Accounting Procedures for Electricity

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. regarding non-compliance with requirements of the Electricity Act, 1998 and the OEB’s Retail Settlement Code. This reflects the importance the OEB places on protecting consumers by ensuring that commodity and global adjustment costs are collected and settled correctly.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from InnPower Corporation, who was found to be out of compliance with the Affiliate Relationships Code for Electricity Distributors and Transmitters.

• Enforcement proceedings

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its Monitoring Report on Ontario's wholesale electricity market for the period between November 2016 and April 2017.

• MSP reports

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts valid from May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has issued a letter with the adopted Cyber Security Readiness Report & Amendments to the Natural Gas Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRR) Rule for Gas Utilities.

• Letter

The OEB announced that there will be little change to electricity prices on May 1, and that summer time-of-use hours come into effect.

• News release and RPP reports

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Oxy Vinyls Canada Co. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge and EPCOR will charge its customers for natural gas effective April 1, 2019.

• Decisions

The OEB has published the 2019 Quarter 2 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

To support the evolution of the electricity sector, the OEB is initiating two integrated consultation processes: Utility Remuneration and Responding to Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).

• Utility Remuneration
• Responding to Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)

The OEB issued a letter yesterday inviting participation in a working group that would assist the OEB in establishing an approach to the collection of pole attachment data.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a letter proposing a Cyber Security Readiness Report & Proposed Amendments to a Natural Gas Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRR) Rule.

• Letter

As part of Phase 1 of the Customer Service Rules Review, the OEB has issued final amendments to the Distribution System Code (DSC), Standard Supply Service Code (SSSC), Unit Sub-Metering Code (USMC) and Gas Distribution Access Rule (GDAR). The OEB has also issued a final Rate Order to electricity and gas distributors which eliminates or clarifies certain types of charges.

• Notice of Amendments
• News feature

The OEB has posted materials and audio recording from the webinar hosted on March 7, 2019 on Commercial and Industrial Rate Design.

• Webinar materials

The OEB has adopted new performance standards for processing rate applications to take effect April 1, 2019.

• Performance standards

The OEB has issued a Staff Discussion Paper and the reports of its two expert consultants on the Activity and Program Based Benchmarking (APB) initiative. This phase of the initiative sets out to establish an APB framework for electricity distributors. APB will be implemented for electricity transmitters, gas distributors and Ontario Power Generation in subsequent phases.

• Staff Discussion Paper

The OEB has issued detailed accounting guidance related to commodity pass-through variance accounts: Account 1588 RSVA Power and Account 1589 RSVA GA.

• Accounting Procedures Handbook - Guidance

The OEB has released a Staff Report to the Board on Rate Design for Commercial and Industrial Electricity Customers (EB-2015-0043). The Report summarizes consultations held with stakeholders, analysis, and presents staff’s recommendations on changes to support an evolving energy sector.

• Staff Report to the Board

The OEB has issued its Decision and Order on Energy Retailer Service Charges effective May 1, 2019.

• Decision and Order - Energy Retailer Service Charges

The OEB has issued a Notice of Amendment to the Distribution System Code that is related to the Code Amendments that were issued on December 18, 2018 to facilitate the implementation of Regional Plans.

• Notice of Amendment

The OEB has posted a Directive from the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines regarding the East-West Tie project.

• Directives issued to the OEB

News Release: Consumers encouraged to have their say on Phase 2 of Customer Service Rules Review

• News release

The OEB is initiating a consultation to consider the merits of moving to a single annual natural gas rate application that will include both delivery-related and commodity-related rates from each rate-regulated natural gas distributor.

• Policy initiatives and consultations

The OEB has posted the 2017 Report for the LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance program.

• View the 2017 report

Today, the OEB launched the OEB Innovation Sandbox, where utilities and other companies in the energy sector can get regulatory advice or seek relief for new ideas, products and services that demonstrate a potential consumer benefit.

• OEB Innovation Sandbox

The Government of Ontario is accepting applications for Vice-Chair and Board Members of the Ontario Energy Board. The postings close on January 8, 2019. Interested parties can apply at the Public Appointments website.

• Public Appointments

The OEB has published the 2019 Quarter 1 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge, EPCOR and Union valid from January 1 - March 31, 2019.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has posted a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Competition Bureau to contribute to the improved delivery of our respective mandates.

• Memorandum of Understanding

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge, EPCOR and Union will charge its customers for natural gas effective January 1, 2019.

• Decisions

The OEB has issued a Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code (DSC) and the Transmission System Code (TSC), which are aimed at ensuring the Cost Responsibility rules for load customers in the TSC and DSC are better aligned and facilitate the implementation of Regional Plans. The OEB has also issued a Supplemental Proposed Amendment to the DSC.

• Regional Planning and Cost Allocation Review

The OEB has posted the Market Surveillance Panel’s report on the Industrial Conservation Initiative.

• MSP Reports

As part of Phase 1 of the Customer Service Rules Review, the OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to Amend Codes and a Rule, and a Notice of Hearing: Review of Non-Payment of Account Service Charges for Electricity and Natural Gas Distributors.

• Review of Customer Service Rules

The OEB has posted the Market Surveillance Panel’s report on its investigation into the electricity trade agreement between the Ontario IESO and Hydro-Québec.

• MSP Reports

The OEB is reviewing the LEAP EFA and is encouraging consumers to have their say. The program provides a one-time financial grant to eligible lower-income customers who face disconnection because they’ve fallen behind on their bills.

• LEAP EFA Review

The OEB has issued its final report on Energy Retailer Service Charges.

• Report of the Ontario Energy Board - Energy Retailer Service Charges

The OEB has issued its Report of the Ontario Energy Board: Mid-Term Review of the Demand Side Management (DSM) Framework for Natural Gas Distributors (2015-2020).

• Report of the Ontario Energy Board - Mid-Term Review of the DSM Framework

The OEB has issued a letter with the adopted Cyber Security Readiness Report & Amendments to the Electricity Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements.

• Cyber Security Readiness Report and Amendments to Electricity RRR

The OEB has issued the Input Price Index of 1.5% to be used as the inflation adjustment for rates adjusted through the Price Cap IR and Annual Index plans for electricity distribution rates effective in 2019.

• Input Price Index

The Advisory Committee on Innovation submitted its report to the Chair of the OEB, providing recommendations on advancing its regulatory work to meet the demands of the evolving energy sector. As a next step, the OEB invites stakeholders to a session on January 16, 2019 to discuss the contents of the report and provide feedback.

• Advisory Committee on Innovation Report to the OEB

The OEB has issued a letter which sets out the Cost of Capital Parameter Updates for Cost of Service Applications with Rates effective in 2019.

• Cost of Capital

Consumer Alert: Consumers warned against apparent energy rebate scam

• Consumer Alert

The OEB is reminding households and small businesses that the winter time-of-use (TOU) hours for the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) begin on November 1. The RPP prices themselves are not changing.

• News release

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from November 1, 2018.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB is initiating Phase 2 of the review of customer service rules for electricity distributors, rate-regulated natural gas distributors and unit sub-meter providers.

• Review of Customer Service Rules

The OEB has issued its Report of the Ontario Energy Board: Framework for the Assessment of Distributor Gas Supply Plans (Framework). The Framework sets out guiding principles, criteria and the OEB’s process for review and assessment of a natural gas distributor’s plan to determine whether the plan delivers best value to consumers.

• Framework for the Assessment of Distributor Gas Supply Plans

The OEB has issued a bulletin providing guidance to electricity distributors on three related issues concerning the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) for the purpose of billing Global Adjustment (GA) charges.

• Bulletin

The OEB is launching an initiative to develop Activity and Program Based Benchmarking (APB) to encourage continuous improvement by regulated utilities.

• APB Initiative

The OEB has posted updated supply mix data with information from 2017. As per Ontario Regulation 416/99 made under the OEB Act, and the Board’s Directive, this information is required to be disclosed to Ontario consumers.

• 2017 supply mix data

The OEB has initiated a review of the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Emergency Financial Assistance (LEAP EFA).

• LEAP EFA Review

The OEB has published the 2017 Scorecards of Electricity Distributors. The scorecard measures how well Ontario’s electricity distributors are performing each year.

• 2017 Scorecards

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge, EPCOR and Union will charge its customers for natural gas effective October 1, 2018.

• Decisions

The OEB has issued a letter proposing a Cyber Security Readiness Report & Amendments to the Electricity Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRR) for licensed transmitters and distributors.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a Decision and Order on a Notice of Intention to Planet Energy (Ontario) Corp. to make an order for compliance, restitution and payment of an administrative penalty.

• Decision and Order

The OEB has posted the 2018 Quarter 4 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has issued for comment its Report on Phase 1 of its review of the customer service rules for licensed electricity distributors, rate-regulated natural gas distributors and unit sub-meter providers.

• Customer service rules review

The OEB has issued revised proposed amendments to the Transmission System Code (TSC) and the Distribution System Code (DSC) which are aimed at ensuring the cost responsibility provisions for load customers in the TSC and DSC are better aligned and facilitate the implementation of regional plans.

• Revised Notice of Proposal - Regional Planning & Cost Responsibility Review

The OEB has posted the electricity distributors’ 2018 stretch factor assignments for the 2019 Incentive Rate Mechanism (IRM) rate-setting process published in the Pacific Economics Group “Empirical Research in Support of Incentive Rate-Setting: 2017 Benchmarking Update" Report to the Ontario Energy Board.

• Benchmarking Update

The OEB has released the 2017 Yearbooks of Electricity Distributors and Natural Gas Distributors. The Yearbooks provide interested parties and the general public with financial and operational information collected from distributors.

• Distributor Yearbooks

The OEB has issued a Decision regarding Ensqr Corporation, a unit sub-metering provider.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has issued its draft report on Energy Retailer Service Charges.

• Draft Report - Energy Retailer Service Charges

The OEB has issued its Decision on Scope of Review for Erie Thames Powerlines Corporation’s electricity distribution rate application.

• Decision on Scope of Review

The OEB has published the 2018 Quarter 3 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has issued a decision dismissing the allegations against Active Energy Inc. in relation to the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010 and the Electricity Retailer Code of Conduct.

• Decision and Order

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Electricity Contracts valid from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB announced that there will be little change to electricity prices on May 1.

• News release and RPP reports

The OEB has issued a Draft Framework for the Assessment of Distributor Gas Supply Plans for stakeholder review and comment.

• Draft report

A pilot project approved by the Ontario Energy Board is giving residential customers of Oshawa Power a chance to test alternative Time-of-Use pricing plans and the impact that additional feedback can have in helping customers better manage their electricity use and costs.

• News release

The OEB has issued its Decision on the Scope of Review for Sioux Lookout Hydro Inc.’s electricity distribution rate application.

• Decision on Scope of Review

The OEB has issued a letter to electricity distributors providing updated accounting guidance on the Smart Metering Entity Charge.

• Letter

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB its Monitoring Report on Ontario's wholesale electricity market for the period between May 2016 and October 2016.

• MSP reports

The OEB has issued its final report on Wireline Pole Attachment Charges.

• Report - Wireline Pole Attachment Charges
• Backgrounder

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge, EPCOR and Union will charge its customers for natural gas effective April 1, 2018.

• Decisions

The OEB has revised its Cost Assessment Model to make provision for unit sub-meter providers to be assessed a portion of the OEB’s costs effective April 1, 2018.

• Cost Assessment Model

The OEB has released Notice of Amendments to the Transmission System Code to avoid conflicts with NERC standards and NPCC criteria in transmission system operations. Design specifications were also clarified and brought in line with current good utility practice. These changes will come into force on April 30, 2018. A revised consolidated update to the TSC will be posted on the OEB website before that date.

• Notice
• Attachment A - Amendments

The OEB has issued a Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code and the Transmission System Code to implement the OEB’s policies related to Protecting Privacy of Personal Information and the Reliable Operation of the Smart Grid in Ontario for the Electricity and Natural Gas Distributors.

• Notice of Amendments

The OEB has published the 2018 Quarter 2 prescribed accounting interest rates applicable to the carrying charges of deferral, variance and construction work in progress (CWIP) accounts of natural gas utilities, electricity distributors and other rate-regulated entities.

• Prescribed interest rates

The OEB has posted its plan for implementation of Ontario’s 2017 Long-Term Energy Plan. The Implementation Plan was approved by the Minister of Energy.

• OEB Implementation Plan

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Utilities Kingston valid from February 1, 2018.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from London Hydro Inc. The Assurance responds to non-compliance with sections 2.6.6 and 2.6.6.2B of Distribution System Code concerning the allocation of partial payments of an invoice.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has posted the 2016 results of the LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance and Winter Warmth programs.

• View the 2016 results

The OEB has posted Price Comparison templates for Natural Gas Contracts for Enbridge and Union valid from January 1 - March 31, 2018.

• Price comparison templates

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to Amend a Code. The purpose of the amendments to the Transmission System Code, and Appendix 1 Versions A&B is to eliminate requirements that may conflict with evolving reliability standards adopted by standards authorities and in force in Ontario, and to bring remaining obligations in line with current good utility practice.

• Notice of Proposal

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge, EPCOR and Union will charge its customers for natural gas effective January 1, 2018.

• Decisions

The OEB has issued a Proposed Notice of Code Amendments for the Electricity and Natural Gas Distributors, and the accompanying industry developed Ontario Cyber Security Framework, tools and Framework Implementation Report.

• Notice of Proposed Code Amendments

The OEB has posted its Strategic Blueprint: Keeping Pace with an Evolving Energy Sector. As the energy sector undergoes a period of accelerated change, the Blueprint will serve as a roadmap that will guide the OEB’s work over the next five years.

• Strategic Blueprint: Keeping Pace with an Evolving Energy Sector

The OEB issued a letter requesting comments from industry stakeholders and interested parties on a Draft Report of the Board entitled Framework for Determining Wireline Pole Attachment Charges.

• Letter

The OEB has published the 2018 Quarter 1 prescribed accounting interest rates.

• Prescribed Interest Rates

The OEB issued a Notice to Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc., Union Gas Limited and EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership regarding their applications for approval to recover the costs associated with their 2018 cap and trade compliance plans.

• More information

The OEB has issued a letter which sets out the Cost of Capital Parameter Updates for Cost of Service Applications with Rates effective in 2018.

• Cost of Capital

The OEB has issued the Input Price Index of 1.2% to be used as the inflation adjustment for rates adjusted through the Price Cap IR and Annual Index plans for electricity distribution rates effective in 2018.

• Input Price Index

The OEB has announced the appointment of Mary Anne Aldred as Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, and the appointment of Ted Antonopoulos as Vice President (Acting), Applications.

• Executive leadership

The OEB has issued a letter to electricity distributors setting out new reporting requirements relating to winter reconnections.

• Letter

The OEB has issued a Decision and Order amending the licences of all Ontario electricity distributors to ban the disconnection of residential consumers from November 15 through April 30, and to require that disconnected homes be reconnected at no charge. The OEB continues to consult on disconnection practices as part of its customer service rules review and encourages consumers to take its survey.

• Decision and Order
• Customer Service Survey

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB the Panel’s report on its investigation into the conduct of Goreway Station Partnership in the wholesale electricity market.

• MSP Reports

The OEB has issued a letter to electricity distributors providing accounting guidance on the Ontario Fair Hydro Act related transactions.

• Letter

News Release: Time-of-use price periods for electricity users changing November 1

• News Release

The OEB has issued an Order immediately revoking Utility Savings Corp.’s Gas Marketer and Electricity Retailer licences.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has published the 2016 Scorecards of Electricity Distributors. The scorecard measures how well Ontario’s electricity distributors are performing each year.

• 2016 Scorecards

The OEB issued proposed amendments to the Transmission System Code (TSC) and the Distribution System Code (DSC) which are aimed at ensuring the cost responsibility provisions for load customers in the TSC and DSC are better aligned and facilitate the implementation of regional plans.

• Notice of Proposal

The OEB gave written notice to Utility Savings Corp. that it intends to make an order revoking its licences due to non-payment of its licence fees and other allegations related to its licences and the Code of Conduct for Gas Marketers and Electricity Retailer Code of Conduct.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB is announcing commodity rates for natural gas will decline on October 1st. The changes include the regular quarterly adjustment for the market price of the natural gas commodity. In addition the OEB has released its Decision and Order on the natural gas utilities’ Cap and Trade program compliance plans.

• Decisions

The OEB has issued a final report on the regulatory treatment of pension and other post-employment benefit (OPEB) costs applicable to rate-regulated Ontario energy utilities.

• Report of the OEB

News Release: Public asked for input on customer service rules for Ontario energy utilities

• News release

News Release: Electricity Pricing Pilots Test More Choice for Residential Consumers

• News release

The OEB is providing new guidance on cost awards related to cost claims for meals and accommodation.

• Letter

The OEB has posted the electricity distributors’ 2017 stretch factor assignments for the 2018 Incentive Rate Mechanism published in the Pacific Economics Group “Empirical Research in Support of Incentive Rate-Setting: 2017 Benchmarking Update" Report to the OEB.

• 2017 Benchmarking Update

The OEB has released the 2016 Yearbooks of Electricity Distributors and Natural Gas Distributors. The Yearbooks provide interested parties and the general public with financial and operational information collected from distributors.

• Distributor Yearbooks

The OEB has posted updated supply mix data with information from 2016. As per Ontario Regulation 416/99 made under the OEB Act, and the Board’s Directive, this information is required to be disclosed to Ontario consumers.

• 2016 Supply Mix Data

Under its Cap and Trade Regulatory Framework, the OEB committed to provide a province-wide Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC), to be updated at the beginning of each three-year Compliance Plan term. The MACC report is now available.

• Marginal Abatement Cost Curve Report

The OEB has issued a letter containing guidance to licensed distributors, unit sub-meter providers, retailers and other interested parties on the implementation of the Fair Hydro Act, 2017.

• Letter

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge, NRG and Union will charge its customers for natural gas effective July 1, 2017.

• Decisions

The OEB today announced that electricity prices will go down on July 1.

• News release

The OEB has issued its Decision and Order regarding the Rural or Remote Electricity Rate Protection charge and Distribution Rate Protection effective July 1, 2017, and addresses two components of the Fair Hydro Plan.

• Decisions

The OEB has issued a letter outlining the consultation process and timelines for the mid-term review of the 2015-2020 DSM Framework.

• Letter

The OEB Community Meetings to review Hydro One’s recent request to increase its distribution rates are starting today in Leamington, Ontario. The amounts requested by Hydro One in its application to the OEB relate to its distribution business and do not reflect any credits or other changes resulting from the Fair Hydro Act, 2017. Any amounts approved by OEB will not impact the distribution line for the bill of most Hydro One customers, after the Fair Hydro Act credits and changes are applied.

• Hydro One Rate Application
• Fair Hydro Act, 2017

Under its Cap and Trade Regulatory Framework, the OEB committed to provide a long-term (10-year) carbon price forecast, to be updated annually.

• Long Term Carbon Price Forecast Report

The OEB has issued a Staff Report to the Board on a Proposed Cyber Security Framework and Supporting Tools for the Electricity and Natural Gas Distributors...

• Staff Report to the Board

The OEB is initiating the next phase in its review of miscellaneous rates and charges...

• Review of Miscellaneous Rates and Charges

The OEB gave written notice to Active Energy Inc. that it intends to make an order for compliance and payment of an administrative penalty as it is alleged that Active Energy has breached the ECPA...

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB is initiating a policy consultation to explore and better understand certain implementation matters related to amendments to Ontario's net metering regulation...

• Net Metering Consultation

Consumer Alert: Consumers warned against false sales claims and apparent energy sales scam.

• Consumer Alert

The OEB has issued a report on the regulatory treatment of pension and other post-employment benefit (OPEB) costs for comment on implementation matters.

• Report

News release: OEB introduces Consumer Charter to ensure consumers know their rights and responsibilities.

• News release

The OEB announced today the appointment of two new full-time Board members, Lynne Anderson and Michael Janigan.

• Board members

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted its Monitoring Report on Ontario’s wholesale electricity market for the period between Nov 2015-Apr 2016.

• MSP reports

The OEB has issued a letter reminding licensed electricity distributors that customer protection rules remain in effect as the ban on winter electricity disconnections ends.

• Letter

News release: Important changes for electricity consumers starting May 1.

• Read the news release

News release: OESP to benefit more consumers, increase credits by 50%.

• Read the news release

Electricity prices dropping for households and small businesses effective May 1.

• News release and RPP reports

The OEB announced that Rumina Velshi has been appointed by Government as a new part-time Board member, effective March 22, 2017 for a two year term.

• Board members

The OEB has approved changes to the prices Enbridge, NRG and Union will charge its customers for natural gas effective April 1, 2017.

• Decisions

The OEB is launching an initiative to develop a Framework for the Assessment of Distributor Gas Supply Plans

• Framework for the Assessment of Distributor Gas Supply Plans

The OEB has issued an amendment to the Standard Supply Service Code that would allow electricity distributors to implement new pilot projects relating to RPP prices.

• RPP Roadmap

The OEB has posted the 2015 results of the LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance and Winter Warmth programs.

• View the 2015 results

The OEB has issued a Decision and Order amending the licences of all Ontario electricity distributors to ban the disconnection of residential consumers for the period through April 30, 2017, and to require that disconnected homes be reconnected as soon as possible at no charge. This Decision and Order follows the passage of the Protecting Vulnerable Energy Consumers Act, 2017 by the Ontario Legislature on February 22, 2017.

• Letter
• Decision and Order
• Consumer FAQs

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Williams Operating Corporation. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to operation in the wholesale market without a licence.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has issued amended filing requirements for natural gas rate applications.

• View the filing requirements

The OEB has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Summitt Energy Management Inc. The Assurance responds to non-compliance related to the retraining of a salesperson.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB has issued a letter providing direction to licensees regarding implementation issues related to the Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers Act (2016).

• Letter

The OEB gave written notice to Planet Energy (Ontario) Corp. that it intends to make an order for compliance and payment of an administrative penalty as it is alleged that Planet Energy has engaged in unfair practices and breached the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010 and associated codes and regulations.

• Enforcement proceedings

The OEB gave written notice to Ensqr Corp. that it intends to make an order revoking their licence as it is alleged that Ensqr has contravened the requirements of the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance it entered into on August 2, 2016.

• Enforcement proceedings

Tough new rules to better protect households and small businesses in their dealings with energy retailers came into effect on January 1, 2017.

• News release

The OEB has issued for public comment proposed amendments to the Standard Supply Service Code that would allow electricity distributors to implement new pilot projects relating to RPP prices.

• RPP Roadmap

The Market Surveillance Panel has submitted to the OEB a report on Congestion Payments in Ontario’s Wholesale Electricity Market.

• MSP Reports

To protect Ontario’s energy consumers and help ensure utilities are giving consumers every opportunity to avoid disconnection, the OEB has issued a letter to electricity distributors reminding them of the rules that they must follow regarding disconnecting and reconnecting a service.

• Letter

The OEB issued a decision that enables utilities to recover costs of natural gas expansion to rural and remote communities, increasing energy options for residential and commercial consumers

• Backgrounder