Implementation of the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program – Small Business (CEAP-SB)

Case number
EB-2020-0185, EB-2020-0186
Launched
Sector
Electricity
Natural Gas
Status
Active
Details

On June 1, 2020, the Government of Ontario confirmed that it is making $9 million available for COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), to support residential customers struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of the COVID-19 emergency. By letter dated August 4, 2020, the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and the Associate Minister of Energy confirmed that it is allocating a further $8 million to assist small businesses and charities through the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program – Small Business (CEAP-SB). The letter asked for the OEB’s support to implement CEAP-SB, and to take action as necessary to ensure licensed electricity distributors, unit sub-meter providers (USMP) and natural gas distributors provide CEAP-SB to their small business and charity customers.

To support the implementation of 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 OEB further issued a Decision and Order on August 10, 2020, amending the Independent Electricity System Operator’s Licence to require it to assist with the administration of CEAP-SB.

The program will launch on August 31, 2020.

Updates
Updates
Date Issue / Document
October 6, 2020

The OEB is providing an updated implementation guidance deck and application forms to address revised eligibility criteria for CEAP-SB.
September 30, 2020

Electricity Distributors and Unit Sub-meter Providers
Decision and Order amending the licences of all electricity distributors and unit sub-meter providers to reflect revised eligibility criteria for CEAP and CEAP-SB.
September 30, 2020

Gas Distributors
Correspondence from the OEB regarding revised eligibility criteria for CEAP and CEAP-SB.
August 12, 2020

The OEB has issued amended Application Forms to provide additional clarity in the Program Eligibility section around the meaning of “closed” to help consumers better understand whether their small business or registered charity is eligible for CEAP-SB. These amended Application Forms replace those included under Appendix B of the August 7, 2020 guidance letter.
August 10, 2020

Independent Electricity System Operator
The OEB has issued a Decision and Order amending the Independent Electricity System Operator’s Licence to require it to assist with the administration of CEAP-SB.
August 7, 2020

Electricity Distributors and Unit Sub-meter Providers
The OEB has issued a Decision and Order amending Electricity Distributor and Unit Sub-Meter Provider licences to require licensees to administer CEAP-SB.
August 7, 2020

Gas Distributors
The OEB has issued letters to four natural gas distributors setting out its expectations for their delivering CEAP-SB to small business and charity customers.
August 4, 2020

The OEB received a letter from the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and the Associate Minister of Energy asking for the OEB’s support to implement CEAP-SB for small business and charity customers.