On December 14 the Ontario Ministry of Energy announced the creation of an expert panel to modernize the Ontario Energy Board. In a statement, the government set a broad mandate and a substantial timeline for the panel, saying it was “seeking advice to prepare for innovation and technological change.” The OEB is the primary regulator of the energy system in Ontario, responsible for setting energy rates and prices, and establishing rules for energy companies operating in Ontario. The government said the review is intended to ensure the OEB “can best adapt to innovative services and new technologies.”
Glenn Thibeault, Ontario’s Minister of Energy, said, “As Ontario’s energy sector continues to become more consumer-focused, families and businesses are asking for increased transparency and innovation from energy companies and agencies. Utilities and regulators need to respond by renewing their focus on efficiency, reliability, affordability and looking at new cutting-edge ways of keeping electricity consumers as their top priority.”
The new body is described as “an expert review panel,” and will be led by Richard Dicerni, a former public service executive with significant energy sector expertise. Additional members of the panel will be announced in the coming weeks.
The panel will have a broad mandate, including reviewing how the OEB can continue to protect consumers amidst a rapidly changing sector, how it can support innovation and new technologies, and how it should be structured and resourced to deliver on its changing role. The panel will seek feedback from the public starting in spring 2018, examine best practices from other jurisdictions, and report back to government by the end of 2018.
Grid modernization policy and regulatory reviews are underway in at least 30 American states. In Canada, the National Energy Board and the Alberta Utilities Commission have undertaken governance reforms to better promote regulation for the future.
A government statement noted that “Reviewing the province’s energy regulator is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change.”
See also the related article on the OEB's blueprint: OEB plans to minimize barriers to innovation while protecting consumers and editorial: Why the OEB Modernization Panel is so timely
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