The DSM Guidelines for natural gas distributors, issued by the OEB on June 30, 2011, provided for a three-year term ending December 31, 2014. As the DSM term was nearing its conclusion, the OEB initiated a consultation process to review the DSM Guidelines and develop a new DSM Framework to be used for the development of the next generation of DSM plans.
On March 31, 2014, the Minister of Energy issued a Directive to the OEB (the “DSM/CDM Directive”) that among other things required the OEB to establish a DSM policy framework.
Working Group
| Date | Issue / Document |
|---|---|
| August 28, 2014 | The DSM Working Group held its third meeting on July 25, 2014. The working group participants discussed the cost effectiveness tests, the process for updating input assumptions, the evaluation and audit process, adjustment factors, program types, and key components of Board’s Staff’s working draft DSM Framework. |
| August 28, 2014 | The OEB received a letter from Environmental Defense on August 6, 2014, providing comments and concerns on Board Staff’s recommendations as part of the DSM Working Group meetings. |
| August 28, 2014 | The OEB received a letter from the Green Energy Coalition (“GEC”) on July 30, 2014, providing comments and concerns on material discussed within the DSM Working Group meetings and addresses concern for not participating in the DSM Working Group meetings. |
| August 28, 2014 | The OEB received a letter from the School Energy Coalition (“SEC”) on July 30, 2014, providing comments and concerns on material discussed within the DSM Working Group meetings. |
| August 28, 2014 | The OEB received two reports from the Canadian Solar Industries Association (“CanSIA”) on August 8, 2014. The first report provides considerations and recommendations on key elements of the DSM Framework. The second report outlines the importance of integrating solar thermal heating into Canada’s energy future including broad policy recommendations. |
| August 28, 2014 | The OEB received a set of discussion papers from the Toronto Atmospheric Fund (“TAF”) on August 11, 2014 outlining considerations and recommendations on key elements of the DSM Framework. |
| July 23, 2014 | The DSM Working Group held its second meeting on June 18, 2014. The working group participants discussed the guiding principles for the framework, integration of electricity DSM and natural gas DSM, DSM targets and budget, the performance incentive, input assumptions and joint filings of the utilities’ DSM plans. |
| June 13, 2014 | The DSM Working Group had its first meeting on April 25, 2014. The working group participants discussed first thoughts regarding the new DSM framework, some options for overall guiding principles, integration of electricity DSM and natural gas DSM, and the regulatory process for approving DSM plans. |