The Ford Government is at it again, this time pursuing legislative changes that will confer inappropriate powers on government while eroding the arms length independence of the Ontario Energy Board. Bill 165 – the Keeping Energy Costs Down Act will do anything but achieve this outcome with its proposed changes to the Ontario Energy Board Act.
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Thank you for considering my comments on Bill 165 and for adding them to the Registry. The role of the Ontario Energy Board is to make decisions that are in the best interest of Ontarians, and the OEB’s December 2023 decision to stop subsidies for new natural gas hookups did just that. The Minister criticized the OEB decision as ‘rushed’ and ‘irrational’. In fact, it was the result of a thorough public hearing process which involved more than a year of review, thousands of pages of company and expert evidence, a comprehensive oral hearing and a thorough process for submissions by Enbridge Gas, OEB Staff, and a number of informed and expert customer and public interest intervenor representatives. The comprehensive, well-written and fully reasoned decision is 147 pages long decided that what is best for Ontarians is to end subsidies for new natural gas hook ups. I fully support this decision.
We are in of climate crisis and must incentivize the transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewables as soon as possible.
I oppose the government’s intentions to:
Set the ‘revenue horizon’ or amortization period for new methane gas connections to residential properties, empowering the Ford government to overturn the important and progressive December 2023 Ontario Energy Board decision to reset this horizon from 40 years to 0 years.
Require the Ontario Energy Board to hold hearings on issues for which focused Board hearings are already underway or issues for which a Board decision has already been made.
Require the Ontario Energy Board to undo a decision to refuse a ‘Leave to Construct’ order (required to proceed with significant methane gas pipelines) or to remove any conditions that the Board has placed on a Leave to Construct order related to methane gas transmission and distribution lines.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Here’s the nitty gritty
The Ford Government is at it again, this time pursuing legislative changes that will confer inappropriate powers on government while eroding the arms length independence of the Ontario Energy Board.
Bill 165 – the Keeping Energy Costs Down Act will do anything but achieve this outcome with its proposed changes to the Ontario Energy Board Act.
Proposed changes would give the Ford Government the power to:
-Set the ‘revenue horizon’ or amortization period for new methane gas connections to residential properties, empowering the Ford government to overturn the important and progressive December 2023 Ontario Energy Board decision to reset this horizon from 40 years to 0 years. The OEB ruled in the best interest of Ontarians because a zero year revenue horizon would force upfront developer or homeowner payment for gas connections and, in so doing, eliminate the financial risk to gas ratepayers for stranded gas infrastructure assets over time. The OEB decision would also facilitate the transition away from fossil fuels by encouraging more developers and new home buyers to opt for low/no carbon home heating/cooling systems right from the get go. The Ford Government has indicated it plans to overturn the OEB decision and reinstate the 40 year horizon – which really only benefits Enbridge Gas Inc and its shareholders! Tell the government the zero revenue horizon must stand as it is in our best interests in a climate emergency!
-Require the Ontario Energy Board to hold hearings on issues for which focused Board hearings are already underway or issues for which a Board decision has already been made. This change transfers power to the provincial government to determine the nature of an Energy Board hearing and who is at the table for that hearing. Up until now, this has been the role of the OEB itself as Ontario’s Independent energy regulator.
-Require the Ontario Energy Board to undo a decision to refuse a ‘Leave to Construct’ order (required to proceed with significant methane gas pipelines) or to remove any conditions that the Board has placed on a Leave to Construct order related to methane gas transmission and distribution lines. Again, this responsibility has rested with the Ontario Energy Board as our independent energy adjudicator. This shift would enable the provincial government to modify Board decisions on methane gas infrastructure, including imposing requirements – like allowing pipeline projects - that may not be in the best interests of the broader public.
Please take a few minutes to prepare and submit comments expressing opposition to these proposed changes! Let the Ford Government know that you don’t support their power grab; the Ontario Energy Board must continue to function as an arms length, independent entity with a mandate and mission to ‘deliver public value through prudent regulation and independent adjudicative decision-making which contributes to Ontario’s economic, social and environmental development’. Exercise your rights as a resident of Ontario to comment on these proposed changes through Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights.