ontario launching year-long review of ontario energy board - energy storage companies
TORONTO —
Ontario is conducting a comprehensive review of the province's energy regulators as it wants to adapt to rapidly changing markets.
The Liberal government has appointed Richard Dicerni, the former head of power generation in Ontario, to lead for one year --
Long-term review by the Ontario Energy Commission.
Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault said it will look at how OEB can keep up with new technologies and new consumer needs.
"Look at the upcoming innovations, so: solar panels on the roof, use power during the day when you have peak hours . . . . . . Store some extra power and use it for your electric car, and these things will actually help you reduce your costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions . "
"These technologies didn't exist 10 years ago, and this is the last time OEB started working on many of its regulations and the updates that need to happen.
In a recent Imperial Club speech, Thibeault said: "Some local utilities have taken advantage of examples cited by Thibeault, such as energy storage, rather than relying solely on" telegraph poles"“These (
Local distribution company)
"There should not be financial restraint over this new, lower-cost approach because of the 1980 regulatory model," he said . ".
OEB sets the rules for energy companies and sets the rates paid by consumers.
The government said that in the past eight years, OEB has reduced the average growth rate required by the company by 40.
The board has now received a controversial application from some of the privatized hydro companies.
It seeks to raise interest rates by 0.
5 percentage points this year, 4 percentage points.
Next year 8%.
But Thibeault says whatever application is made, the government promises --
As part of the plan to reduce the water and electricity rate --
This growth will remain on the basis of inflation over the next four years.
The new OEB review will look at consumer protection, and how the board should be structured, and how to adapt to new technologies.
More people are still appointed as members of the review panel, who will report to the Minister of Energy
No matter who is after the June election
Before the end of 2018
Thibeault couldn't say what the cost would be, but he said that by finding the "efficiency" to pay the cost, it would be in line with the current budget.
The review should not be seen as a criticism of the existing system, but rather ensure that Ontario is prepared for the energy market in 2025 and beyond, Thibeault said.
But economic development critics of the national development program say the Liberal government that announced the review acknowledged that the energy system had collapsed.
Kathryn FARF said in a statement that meaningful reform of OEB needs to include giving it greater authority to review rate applications, as well as increasing the representation of taxpayers and consumer advocates on the board
"The most important thing is that the reformed OEB needs to focus on making bills affordable for businesses and families, rather than increasing the rubber stamping rate," she wrote . ".