Regulation - LGIC
Regulatory proposal to clarify that electricity utilities may undertake on-bill financing for electricity conservation and demand management measures under the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 and the Electricity Act, 1998.
Regulation Number(s):
161/99
160/99
160/99
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998; Electricity Act, 1998
Summary of Proposal:
In its 2013 Long-Term Energy Plan, the government committed to working to make new financing tools available to consumers starting in 2015, including on-bill financing for energy efficiency retrofits. On-bill financing can assist consumers in making investments in energy efficiency retrofits with repayment on the utility bill.
The purpose of the amendments to the regulations is to clarify that on-bill financing for electricity conservation and demand management measures is an activity that electricity utilities can undertake. The Ministry of Energy is proposing these amendments to provide regulatory certainty to electricity utilities undertaking on-bill financing in Ontario.
Through these amendments, the government will promote a voluntary utility led approach for implementing on-bill financing in Ontario. Electricity utilities are best positioned to assess local needs in their service territories and deliver on-bill financing for electricity conservation and demand management measures based on identified need.
The 2013 Long-Term Energy Plan committed to putting conservation first before building new generation and transmission facilities. The province expects to offset most of the growth in electricity demand to 2032 using conservation programs and improved codes and standards. As a financing tool, on-bill financing can help facilitate consumer investments in energy efficiency retrofits and drive participation in conservation programs offered under the Conservation First Framework.
Other Information:
While the proposed regulation amendments are specific to electricity utilities, the government and the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) are also encouraging natural gas utilities to offer on-bill financing for natural gas conservation and demand management measures, within their existing regulatory frameworks.
The OEB in its 2015-2020 Demand Side Management framework recognized on-bill financing as a key priority for natural gas utilities.
The purpose of the amendments to the regulations is to clarify that on-bill financing for electricity conservation and demand management measures is an activity that electricity utilities can undertake. The Ministry of Energy is proposing these amendments to provide regulatory certainty to electricity utilities undertaking on-bill financing in Ontario.
Through these amendments, the government will promote a voluntary utility led approach for implementing on-bill financing in Ontario. Electricity utilities are best positioned to assess local needs in their service territories and deliver on-bill financing for electricity conservation and demand management measures based on identified need.
The 2013 Long-Term Energy Plan committed to putting conservation first before building new generation and transmission facilities. The province expects to offset most of the growth in electricity demand to 2032 using conservation programs and improved codes and standards. As a financing tool, on-bill financing can help facilitate consumer investments in energy efficiency retrofits and drive participation in conservation programs offered under the Conservation First Framework.
Other Information:
While the proposed regulation amendments are specific to electricity utilities, the government and the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) are also encouraging natural gas utilities to offer on-bill financing for natural gas conservation and demand management measures, within their existing regulatory frameworks.
The OEB in its 2015-2020 Demand Side Management framework recognized on-bill financing as a key priority for natural gas utilities.
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
15-ENE003
Posting Date:
March 6, 2015
Comments Due Date:
April 20, 2015