Milton Hydro and Brantford Power conservation and demand management plans receive final approval from the Ontario Energy Board
Saturday, 11 December 2004
[2004-12-10]
Milton Hydro and Brantford Power both received final approval today for their conservation and demand management (CDM) plans from the Ontario Energy Board. IndEco developed these plans with the local distribution companies (LDCs). Judy Simon, Vice-President of IndEco, sat on witness panels with the President of Milton Hydro, Don Thorne, and the Director of Engineering and Operations of Brantford Power, John Loucks.
In its decision, the Board commended the LDCs for the quality of their submissions, and spoke favourably of the innovative components of the plans. Programs singled out for particular attention included the rural smart meter pilot in Milton, and the low income assistance program put forward by Brantford. This program is based on a design developed by the Low Income Energy Network (LIEN), with assistance from IndEco. The Board encouraged other LDCs to adopt the smart meter retrofit program that both Milton and Brantford will be implementing for meters that come up for reverification. The Board also praised Milton's larger smart meter initiatives.
Milton had previously received interim approval, meaning that the plan was approved by the Board, subject to hearing interventions from the public. Milton Hydro submitted minor modifications to the plan to address the lower budget the Board calculated in its interim decision.
To receive final approval, both LDCs published notices in local papers inviting comments on the plans, and sent copies to 21 provincial groups active in regulatory processes related to demand side management. Several of these intervenors participated in the hearing, through cross-examining witnesses for the LDCs, and through oral or written argument.
In its decision, the Board imposed conditions on the approval that were initially developed in a hearing earlier in the week for a group of six larger utilities. These conditions included requiring quarterly reporting, annual cost benefit analyses and hearings, and limits on the flexibility to reallocated resources within the plan. These conditions can be expected to apply to all CDM applications the Board receives related to 3rd tranche spending on conservation and demand management.
Implementation of both LDCs' plans is well underway, and both intend to complete their third tranche spending on CDM in the calendar year 2005. Their plan to move things along quickly positions them well for emerging CDM opportunities, and puts pressure on the government and regulators to ensure there are suitable regulatory frameworks in place to allow them to continue to offer their customers conservation and demand management programs.
Related information
Brantford Power CDM plan
Ontario Energy Board documents on Electricity Distributor Conservation and Demand Management
CELA page on low income energy conservation initiatives
IndEco services in energy management
IndEco services in regulatory affairs
IndEco services in strategic planning