2024 agenda announced

A New Class of Energy Regulator

CEO Susanna Zagar delivers opening remarks, sharing how the OEB’s objectives have evolved, how the OEB has responded and delivered, and how we’re anticipating for the future.

Plenary session (open to all participants)

Advancing the Regulator’s Role in the Energy Transition

Chief Operating Officer Harneet Panesar updates the sector on the OEB’s actions to advance innovation, accountability, and efficiency in matters of consumer protection, industry performance and application operations with regulated entities.

Plenary session (open to all participants)

Breakout Session – Round One

The first breakout session is hosted to actively solicit feedback from stakeholders on this year’s discussion topics:

1. A Rate-Setting Framework for the Future
   The OEB is planning several initiatives that will explore evolutions to the rate-setting framework to enhance utility performance and cost-efficiency against the backdrop of the energy transition. In this session, participants will discuss these initiatives and provide feedback on approaches to advancing the OEB’s performance-based approach to regulation. Leveraging the priorities identified in the Minister’s Letter of Direction (November 2023) and the OEB’s Improving Distribution Sector Resilience, Responsiveness and Cost Efficiency Report, these proposed initiatives will explore other remuneration models, use of performance incentive mechanisms, utility spending patterns under the current framework, and enhanced benchmarking.
   
   
2. Youth Engagement in the Energy Transition: Building Ontario’s Future Workforce
   By 2050, Ontario may need to more than double its electricity generating capacity to meet growing demand, necessitating major upgrades and new investments in infrastructure and human resources. With an estimated 28,000 new workers needed in the Canadian electricity sector by 2028 – 25% of the current workforce – there’s a significant opportunity to engage and empower youth to participate in the province’s energy transition. This session will seek your advice on how the sector can explore innovative strategies to involve young people from diverse backgrounds in building a skilled workforce to support Ontario’s ambitious goals.
   
   
3. Strategic Investments in Grid Modernization and Distribution System Operator (DSO) Functionalities
   To deliver the grid of the future that can further Ontario’s energy advantage and meet changing consumer needs, new technologies offer ways to provide consumer value in an efficient, cost-effective manner. Building on our discussions from Policy Day 2023 and to further support the OEB's ongoing work on DSOs, this session will bring together stakeholders to discuss regulatory considerations and priorities for investments in grid modernization, including DSO functionalities, to support an orderly energy transition.
   
   
4. Leveraging Stakeholder Insights to Advance Adjudicative Policy Priorities
   The OEB continues to enhance its adjudicative effectiveness through the ongoing review of its regulatory policies. This session will engage stakeholders in an exploration of future policy priorities directly tied to enabling Ontario’s energy advantage. A facilitated discussion, leveraging the review’s progress to date and current activities, will focus on select initiatives and an overall path forward. The input received will directly shape next steps of the OEB’s Adjudicative Policy Review.

Stakeholder input on each of the discussion topics is welcome and encouraged, however, capacity in the breakout rooms is limited to enable meaningful dialogue. Organizations may register the representative of their choice for each of the four discussion topics.

Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The OEB will do its best to accommodate requests while supporting equitable participation and a diversity of perspectives.

Supporting Innovation as an Energy Regulator

Chief Corporate Services Officer & General Counsel Carolyn Calwell speaks to the development and implementation of strategic policies that serve to enhance the adoption, usage and value of innovation and new technologies, within the OEB and across the sector.

Plenary session (open to all participants)

Breakout Session – Round Two

A second breakout session is hosted to actively solicit feedback from stakeholders on this year’s discussion topics:

1. A Rate-Setting Framework for the Future
2. Youth Engagement in the Energy Transition: Building Ontario’s Future Workforce
3. Strategic Investments in Grid Modernization and Distribution System Operator (DSO) Functionalities
4. Leveraging Stakeholder Insights to Advance Adjudicative Policy Priorities

Stakeholder input on each of the discussion topics is welcome and encouraged, however, capacity in the breakout rooms is limited to enable meaningful dialogue. Organizations may register the representative of their choice for each of the four discussion topics.

Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The OEB will do its best to accommodate requests while supporting equitable participation and a diversity of perspectives.

A Regulator’s Commitment to Best Practices and Procedural Fairness

Chief Commissioner Lynne Anderson shares an overview of OEB’s active adjudicative performance and reflections on the pressing issues facing the adjudicative function, highlighting how the OEB has enhanced its processes.

Plenary session (open to all participants)

What We Heard

A regroup on the breakout room discussions, including a report back on the feedback and questions raised by stakeholders.

Plenary session (open to all participants)

Let’s Discuss

The OEB’s executive leadership team opens the floor to questions from stakeholders as well as discuss the key takeaways from the conversations had around the breakout room topics.

Plenary session (open to all participants)

Closing Remarks

CEO Susanna Zagar reflects on Policy Day 2024 and what’s next for the OEB and the sector.

Plenary session (open to all participants)