Insights
Regulatory/Market Insights
A Look at Electric Utility Consolidation in Ontario
May 2012
There is a general sense that consolidation of the electric utility sector in Ontario could lower costs, and the Drummond Report recommended consolidation along regional lines. But there are some key impediments to consolidation. Read more >>
Enbridge and Union File to Clear Amounts for 2011 through One-Time Adjustments
May 2012
Enbridge and Union have each filed an application with the Ontario Energy Board for approval to clear balances for 2011 in certain deferral accounts and earnings sharing amounts for 2011. For some customers, the one-time adjustment will be a credit and for others a charge. Read more >>
Transportation Patterns for Natural Gas Are Changing
April 2012
For the past several years, producers have been developing shale gas supply from the Marcellus formation and are now looking for ways to transport this supply to eastern North American markets. Read more >>
Provincial Budget Caps Ontario Clean Energy Benefit for Large Users
April 2012
As part of its 2012 budget, the Ontario Government proposed a cap of 3,000 kWh per month for the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit. For most consumers with monthly consumption above the cap, their maximum benefit will be $47 per month. Read more >>
Renewable Energy Integration and Wind Challenges
March 2012
Ontario's Long Term Energy Plan calls for 10,700 MW of renewable generation to be installed by 2018. Much of this will be intermittent generation, and much of it will come from wind. Integrating wind into the electrical grid will pose significant operating challenges. Read more >>
High Natural Gas Production, Low Demand and Prices: The Interplay
March 2012
Under current conditions of high production and low demand, natural gas prices in the US are unlikely to rally in a sustained way. Read more >>
Union Gas Proposes Rate Design Changes
March 2012
As part of its 2013 rates application to the Ontario Energy Board, Union has proposed rate design changes for a number of its rate groups. If approved, some changes will take effect at the start of 2013 and others at the beginning of 2014. Read more >>
Electricity Infrastructure Renewal: The Third Cost Wave
January 2012
Infrastructure renewal is the third of three cost waves hitting electricity consumers in Ontario. The infrastructure wave will pose challenges for consumers, regulators and policy-makers. Read more >>
Reallocation of Global Adjustment Costs: Updating for 2011 and Looking to 2014
January 2012
The new methodology for allocating Global Adjustment costs has now been in place for 12 months. As a result, we have a much better idea of the cost transfer dynamics and the amounts transferred from Class A to Class B. Read more >>
Counter-Intuitive Pricing in Ontario's Electricity Market
November 2011
The total cost of the energy commodity for Ontario consumers includes the spot price of electricity plus the allocated Global Adjustment charge. This can lead to confusing, even counter-intuitive, price signals. Read more >>