Implementation Update - Fall 2025
The OEB continues to deliver on its 10-Point Action Plan. Significant progress has been made across a range of initiatives, underscoring our commitment to ongoing improvement in our adjudicative process. We are pleased to share this update on the implementation status of each item.
Action Plan Item 1 – Limiting the scope and number of intervenors in priority facility projects
To support Ontario’s priority electricity and natural gas projects the OEB ensures regulatory proceedings for government-directed electricity and natural gas projects are appropriately scoped and proportionate to the nature of the review to maintain regulatory efficiency.
The OEB has initiated research and reviewed its approach to priority facility projects, including Indigenous engagement for natural gas facilities and will continue to assess intervenor status according to its relevance and significance within the proceeding’s defined scope.
Action Plan Item 2 – Establishing budgets for intervenors in certain applications
The OEB piloted a $20,000 budget per intervenor for cost of service applications involving 10 electricity distributors with less than 30,000 customers (see list below). The pilot cases have concluded, cost awards have been issued, and feedback has been gathered from intervenors. The OEB is reviewing the results to assess the value of the continued use of budgets.
Intervenor Budget Pilot Cases:
- Algoma Power Inc. (EB-2024-0007)
- Centre Wellington Hydro (EB-2024-0012)
- Festival Hydro Inc. (EB-2024-0023)
- Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. (EB-2023-0053)
- Hydro Hawkesbury Inc. (EB-2024-0021)
- Lakeland Power Distribution Ltd. (EB-2024-0039)
- Hydro 2000 Inc. (EB-2024-0030)
- Northern Ontario Wires Inc. (EB-2024-0046)
- Welland Hydro-Electric System Corp. (EB-2024-0058)
- Atikokan Hydro Inc. (EB-2024-0008)
Action Plan Item 3 – Categorizing intervenors by interests and developing approaches for increasing collaboration
On April 25, 2025, the OEB issued a letter and framework on intervenor categorization for stakeholder comment and has since reviewed the feedback received.
Intervenor categories were piloted in the Enbridge Gas Inc. Demand Side Management proceeding (EB-2024-0198), which has concluded and a decision has been issued. The OEB will meet with the parties to get their feedback on the pilot in December 2025. The OEB is preparing to pilot intervenor categories in another proceeding.
Action Plan Item 4 – Exploring options to minimize duplication in interrogatories
The OEB is piloting SharePoint for collaboration on interrogatories (IRs) in two cost of service rate applications:
- Pilot A: Burlington Hydro Inc. (EB-2025-0051)
- Pilot B: Oshawa PUC Distribution Inc. (EB-2025-0014)
For Pilot A, OEB staff independently filed one set of IRs and intervenors jointly filed a second set of IRs. Both sets of IRs were filed on the same due date.
For Pilot B, OEB staff shared its IRs with intervenors five days before the filing deadline, allowing intervenors an opportunity to review and add additional IRs. A single set of IRs was filed on the due date.
Both proceedings are expected to conclude in early 2026. After decisions are issued, the OEB will meet with parties to gather feedback, assess reductions in duplicative IRs, and determine whether to continue using SharePoint and what changes may be needed.
Action Plan Item 5 – Providing alternate approaches to engage individual customers outside of often technical and complex adjudicative proceedings
The OEB has developed a vetting process for screening individual intervenors. The Rules of Practice and Procedure have been updated to define criteria for granting intervenor status to those individuals representing personal or policy interests. OEB staff will continue assisting individual intervenors to enhance their understanding of the adjudicative process.
Action Plan Item 6 – Enhancing reporting, tracking and analysis of utility costs
The OEB continues to consult stakeholders on the reporting of utility costs and has begun collecting new data to support these efforts.
Action Plan Item 7 – Enhancing annual reporting
The OEB continues to consult stakeholders on enhancing annual reporting and has begun collecting new data to support these efforts.
Action Plan Item 8 – Continuing to actively adjudicate
The OEB has completed a jurisdictional scan to confirm its alignment with best practices in active adjudication. Building on these insights, we have engaged in discussions to strengthen and refine our current approaches. These improvements will be documented to promote consistency and transparency going forward.
Action Plan Item 9 - Providing alternate approaches to engage individual customers outside of often technical and complex adjudicative proceedings
As a result, the OEB is introducing a one-day issues meeting as part of its new Small Distributor[2] Process for cost of service applications. This streamlined approach is designed to reduce regulatory burden and simplify the review for small electricity distributors. Chapter 2 of the Filing Requirements for Electricity Distribution Rate Applications will be updated to include the acceptance criteria for the Small Distributor Process, applicable to electricity distributors submitting 2027 rate applications.
Very Small Distributors Pilot Cases:
- Hydro 2000 Inc. (Hydro 2000) (EB-2024-0030)
- Atikokan Hydro Inc. (Atikokan Hydro) (EB-2024-0008)
- Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. (Tillsonburg Hydro) (EB-2023-0053)
- Hydro Hawkesbury Inc. (Hydro Hawkesbury) (EB-2024-0031)
- Northern Ontario Wires Inc. (Northern Ontario Wires) (EB-2024-0046/EB-2025-0160)
[1] A VSD is an electricity distributor fewer than 5,000 customers. The VSD Pilot was previously name the Very Small Utilities Pilot.
[2] A small distributor has between 5,000 and 30,000 customers.
The OEB has revised its cost award schedule for legal counsel and consultants, effective June 1, 2025. This update aligns fees with other jurisdictions and reflects intervenor contributions under the current regulatory framework. Annual inflationary reviews and a five-year benchmarking process will ensure continued alignment with industry standards.
