Demand-Side Management Goes To Court

Pollution Probe is taking the Ontario Energy Board to court over demand-side management (DSM) for gas utilities. DSM refers to programs that utilities use to assist and encourage their customers to conserve. For example, electric utilities use DSM programs to encourage customers to use less energy and/or to shift demand away from peak hours, and include familiar initiatives such as Peaksaver. Gas and water utilities can also encourage conservation with DSM programs, which can have significant impact on demand.

Pollution Probe is asking the Divisional Court to quash an Ontario Energy Board document, "Demand Side Management ("DSM") Guidelines for Natural Gas Utilities: Issues for Further Comment" ("DSM Guidelines Document"). According to Pollution Probe, this document improperly capped the amount that any Ontario gas utility can spend on DSM for the next three years.