Ontario Directs NextBridge To Construct The East-West Tie Transmission Line

On January 30, 2019, the Ontario Minister of Energy issued an Order in Council and Directive to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), mandating that the East-West Tie Line Project will be constructed by NextBridge Infrastructure LP (NextBridge). The Directive indicates that NextBridge's electricity transmission licence will be amended to require it to "[d]evelop, seek approvals in respect of, and proceed with immediacy to construct, expand or re-enforce the East-West Tie Line Project." NextBridge will be required to report to the OEB and the IESO about the progress, timeliness and cost-effectiveness of the project. A January 30, 2019 letter from the Minister of Energy to the OEB indicates that "I expect that the OEB will maintain its role in assessing the prudency of costs incurred by NextBridge throughout the construction of the line to ensure the project is built in a cost-effective manner."