OEB Provides Details Of Its Consumer Engagement And Representation Framework

Recently, the Ontario Energy Board announced details of the much anticipated "Consumer Engagement and Representation Framework." The focus of the planned new framework is on providing local consumers with greater access to and representation within OEB processes. The goal is to give residential consumers and local small businesses a stronger voice in the OEB's decision making. While there had been some expectation (as we reported here) that the new framework would effectively replace the existing intervenor model, the planned changes are better described as complementary to the existing model.

An overview of the new framework was presented to utilities and intervenors in mid-May 2016. Details of this overview are set out in presentation materials found on the OEB's "Giving Ontario Energy Consumers a Stronger Voice" webpage. As explained in the Backgrounder and Presentation from the OEB, the new framework will educate and engage consumers in several ways