Earlier this week Ontario’s Minister of Energy, the Honourable Todd Smith, issued a Letter of Direction (formerly known as a ‘mandate letter’) to Richard Dicerni, Chair of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), outlining the government’s priorities and expectations for the regulator’s upcoming three-year planning period. This is the third letter of its kind to be delivered since the OEB Modernization initiative was launched, and marks the end of the formal transition period.
The letter of direction highlights the challenges that Ontario’s energy sector will face during the electrification transition and move towards lower emissions from the supply mix. In line with previous communications, the Minister highlights the importance of enhancing reliability, resiliency and customer choice.
The seven-page letter identities six near-term priorities for the OEB to significantly advance over the next year:
The Minister’s letter further recognizes the importance to the government of ongoing work streams that have been underway over the past two years:
Framework for Energy Innovation’s (FEI) Working Group Report: maintain momentum by consulting with stakeholders to propose changes to the utility role in Distributed Energy Resources and to find additional opportunities for collaboration with the IESO to promote innovation. In particular, the letter notes that “the OEB must maintain momentum in this space by making use of stakeholder feedback to propose meaningful changes to how utilities can make use of Distributed Energy Resources to cost-effectively meet emerging local and broader system needs and how non-wires and non-pipeline alternatives are considered, given their significant potential to replace or defer the need for more costly traditional infrastructure.”.
Ultra-Low Overnight Price Plan: provide ongoing updates on the May 1, 2023, implementation target.
Dynamic Pricing Pilot for Class B Customers: provide ongoing updates regarding the application process for the pilot program.
Green Button: consider stakeholder input to support LDC implementation and consider compliance action for those that have not made reasonable progress by November 1, 2023.
Broadband Expansion: continue to clarify the roles and responsibilities around enforcing compliance with the Building Broadband Faster Act and regulations thereunder.
Conservation and Demand Management/Demand-Side Management (CDM/DSM): to collaborate with the IESO to reduce barriers for LDCs seeking to deliver CDM programs through distribution rates. Coordinate with the Canada Greener Homes Program and existing residential DSM programs to generate more retrofits, savings on gas bills, and emissions reductions.
Net Metering Regulatory Changes: continue providing regulatory oversight and guidance for the authorized Community Net Metering demonstration project. Monitor market activities and regulatory compliance of third-party ownership net metering arrangements.
The OEB is to provide quarterly updates on the progress of the above priorities and ongoing initiatives. The Minister has further asked the OEB to identify any legislative or regulatory barriers that may prevent the OEB from delivering on the expectations so the Ministry of Energy could facilitate change.
The Minister and government remain steadfastly committed to reliability, affordability, sustainability and consumer choice. Tracking the impact of the OEB’s efforts, the IESO’s ‘Pathways to Decarbonization’ work, the updated Annual Planning Outlook, and the Electrification and Energy Transition Panel is certain to create significant activity and engagement in the sector this year.
For insights and support in navigating the rapidly changing Ontario energy landscape, do not hesitate to contact your Sussex consultant.
Chris Benedetti, Managing Partner:
cbenedetti@sussex-strategy.com
Bonnie Hiltz, Vice President and Energy Practice Lead:
bhiltz@sussex-strategy.com
Mark Olsheski, Vice President, Energy:
molsheski@sussex-strategy.com
Patrick Gajos, Director and General Counsel:
pgajos@sussex-strategy.com
Jordan Penic, Director, Energy:
jpenic@sussex-strategy.com
Joyce Mankarios, Director, Ontario:
jmankarios@sussex-strategy.com
Kristina Matovich, Research Associate, Energy:
kmatovich@sussex-strategy.com