OEB Notice of Proceeding for EPCOR's Federal Carbon Pricing Program Applications

The Information on this Page Applies to:

Arran Elderslie, Ontario

Aylmer, Ontario

Brockton, Ontario

Chesley, Ontario

Huron Kinloss, Ontario

Kincardine, Ontario

Lucknow, Ontario

Lurgan Beach, Ontario

Paisley, Ontario

Point Clark, Ontario

Port Burwell, Ontario

Richmond, Ontario

Ripley, Ontario

Tiverton, Ontario

West Grey, Ontario

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For more information:

Read the application.

EPCOR has applied to the Ontario Energy Board for approval to increase its rates effective April 1, 2022, to recover the costs associated with meeting its obligations under the federal government’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. EPCOR has also applied to dispose of the balances in the related deferral and variance accounts. If the application is approved as filed, the amount EPCOR charges a typical residential customer would increase by the following amounts:

A typical residential customer in the Aylmer service area will see an annual bill increase of $16.87. This is composed of an annual bill increase of $41.41 arising from the 2022 carbon charges that is reduced by a credit of $24.54 arising from the disposition of balances in the related deferral and variance accounts.
A typical residential customer in the South Bruce service area will see an annual bill increase of $40.98. This is composed of an annual bill increase of $42.12 arising from the 2022 carbon charges that is reduced by a credit of $1.14 arising from the disposition of balances in the related deferral and variance accounts.

The Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act establishes a carbon pricing program under which a natural gas utility in Ontario, such as EPCOR, is required to pay a carbon charge for the natural gas that it delivers to its customers. The carbon charge came into effect on April 1, 2019. The charge increased to 7.83 cents/m3 on April 1, 2021 and will increase to 9.79 cents/m3 on April 1, 2022. The costs related to emissions from the operation of EPCOR's natural gas distribution system are also increasing.

Other customers, including businesses, will also be affected.

The Ontario Energy Board will hold a public hearing

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) will hold a public hearing to consider the application filed by EPCOR. During the hearing, which could be an oral or written hearing, they will question EPCOR on the request for a rate increase. They will also hear questions and arguments from individuals that have registered to participate (called intervenors) in the OEB’s hearing.

The OEB is an independent and impartial public agency. They make decisions that serve the public interest. Their goal is to promote a financially viable and efficient energy sector that provides you with reliable energy services at a reasonable cost.

Be informed and have your say

You have the right to information regarding this application and to be involved in the process.

You can review EPCOR’s application on the OEB’s website now
You can file a letter with your comments, which will be considered during the hearing
You can become an intervenor. As an intervenor you can ask questions about EPCOR's application and make arguments on whether the OEB should approve EPCOR's request. Apply by December 6, 2021 or the hearing will go ahead without you and you will not receive any further notice of the proceeding
At the end of the process, you can review the OEB’s decision and its reasons on their website

Learn more

Our file number for this case is EB-2021-0268. To learn more about this hearing, find instructions on how to file a letter with your comments or become an intervenor, or to access any document related to this case, please enter the file numbers EB-2021-0268 on the OEB website. You can also phone the Public Information Centre at 1 (877) 632-2727 with any questions.

Oral vs. Written Hearings

There are two types of OEB hearings – oral and written. EPCOR has applied for a written hearing. The OEB is considering this request. If you think an oral hearing is needed, you can write to the OEB to explain why by December 6, 2021.

Privacy

If you write a letter of comment, your name and the content of your letter will be put on the public record and the OEB website. However, your personal telephone number, home address and email address will be removed. If you are a business, all your information will remain public. If you apply to become an intervenor, all information will be public.

This rate hearing will be held under section 36 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c.15 Schedule B.