What's new newsletter

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.

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.

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.

The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to Amend the Distribution System Code and Transmission System Code. The amendments require utilities to comply with a new Ontario Cyber Security Standard document with an initial focus on privacy, corporate governance, and situational awareness related to cyber security. We invite stakeholders to provide feedback to the proposal by March 5, 2024. The OEB is also making changes to improve the effectiveness of utilities’ cyber security reporting. These revisions align reporting questions with the Ontario Cyber Security Framework (OCSF), increase the granularity of response options, and enable utilities to report against version 1.1 of the OCSF, released in December 2023.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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