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The OEB has launched a stakeholder consultation on proposed updates to Chapters 1 and 2 of its Filing Requirements for Electricity Transmission Applications. These updates reflect current legislative and OEB policy frameworks, as well as general regulatory practices. They are intended to apply to transmission rebasing applications for 2027 rates.

The OEB is establishing a methodology for the setting of rates to include a margin on payments (MoP) incentive to use third-party distributed energy resources as non-wires solutions to meet an electricity distribution system need.

The OEB has begun the implementation of its 10-point Action Plan (the Plan), part of its September 2024 Report Back to the Minister on Intervenors and Regulatory Efficiency (the Report). Both the Plan and Report are aligned with the 2024 Minister’s Letter of Direction, which emphasizes regulatory efficiency to enable growth as a priority for the OEB. Specifically, the Plan aims to enhance adjudicative excellence, lower costs for consumers and reduce regulatory burden.

The OEB has issued an invitation to comment on proposed amendments to the Rules of Practice and Procedure relating to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in preparing filings, something that is not currently accounted for in the Rules.

The OEB has launched a consultation to review the use of total cost benchmarking to assess the overall cost performance of rate-regulated electricity distributors. This consultation is aimed at renewing the 2013 benchmarking methodology which is expected to incent distributors towards better productivity. Stakeholder feedback will also inform the OEB’s consideration of updates to the components of the X factor in the I-X formulation.

The OEB has launched a consultation to engage stakeholders in assessing how the Renewed Regulatory Framework for Electricity (RRFE) structure for multi-year planning and rates affects utility spending patterns and the capitalization of assets. This analysis aims to enhance the OEB’s regulatory oversight of spending trends and capitalization policies in Ontario’s electricity sector. This review reflects the OEB’s commitment to improving cost assessment models and strengthening regulatory frameworks.

The OEB is amending two of its Codes to facilitate the implementation of the renewed market under the Market Renewal Program (MRP) which the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has indicated it is targeting to go live on May 1, 2025.

The OEB is launching a consultation to develop a policy framework to set expectations for electricity distributors regarding the development of Distribution System Operator capabilities. This is in response to the Minister of Energy and Electrification’s December 2024 Letter of Direction to the OEB.

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is conducting 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.

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is launching a consultation to support a review and evaluation of its Incremental Capital Module (ICM) policy. The review will be informed by previous ICM applications, as well as ICM-related comments received from stakeholders during the OEB’s consultation to review and update the Handbook to Electricity Distributor and Transmitter Consolidations.

The OEB has launched the VASH project to address the Ministry of Energy’s letter to the OEB to develop and implement policies to improve distribution sector resiliency, responsiveness and cost efficiency in response to the challenges posed by climate change.

Consultation to review EPCOR Natural Gas Limited Partnership Aylmer’s five-year natural gas supply plan and South Bruce’s Annual Update to its natural gas supply plan.

The OEB is undertaking a review of the connection-related sections of the Transmission Systems Code (TSC) to enhance the effectiveness of connection processes, procedures, and requirements.

Stakeholder consultation on a proposed update to the OEB’s Filing Guidelines for Ontario Power Generation (OPG), which outline filing expectations for payment amounts applications and related matters under section 78.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 (the Act).

Consultation to review Enbridge Gas’s Annual Update to its natural gas supply plan.

Stakeholder consultation to explore different cost recovery approaches for the system expansion for housing developments.

Consultation on proposed revisions to the OEB’s current requirements for Indigenous consultation as set out in the OEB’s Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Pipelines in Ontario.

The OEB is reviewing the consumer protection framework for customers of Unit Sub-Meter Providers (USMPs).

The OEB completed a review of the standard value used to denote the electricity consumption of a typical residential customer in Ontario. The OEB determined the value will remain 750 kWh.

Review of the OEB's current performance standards for natural gas facilities applications, specifically Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, Municipal Franchise Agreements, Storage and Well Drilling.

Consultation with stakeholders to inform its approach to existing and future electricity distribution standby rates.

Consultation to develop a Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) Framework for addressing electricity system needs.

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.

Consultation to review and update the OEB’s Handbook to Electricity Distributor and Transmitter Consolidations (MAADs Handbook), and associated Filing Requirements for Consolidation Applications.

Review of LEAP EFA that includes LEAP EFA’s funding mechanism, eligibility criteria, grant amounts as well as performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of the program.