OFA provides comments to the Ontario Ministry of Energy on proposed amendments to the Ontario Energy Board Act, to ensure continued access to natural gas for homes, farms and businesses.
OFA supports Minster Smith’s direction to reestablish the natural gas project revenue horizon at 40 years, until 2029, reversing an Ontario Energy Board (OEB) decision that capital costs for new small volume customer connections, including homes, farms, and businesses, would need to be fully paid up front by these small customers.
OFA believes the December 2023 OEB decision impedes our ability to access reliable, affordable heating options.Should the OEB decision stand, natural gas distribution companies could service a limited number of new suburban housing developments at a time, until the developers sell the houses and new owners are able to amortize the connection costs through mortgages. From the rural viewpoint, projects connecting rural communities and businesses would be severely diminished, limiting their ability to make sensible choices for their transition to a clean economy.
Previous related OFA submissions:
January 18, 2024 – OFA submission to Finance Minister Bethlenfalvy regarding Ontario’s 2024 pre-budget consultations
October 31, 2023 – OFA submission to the Ministry of Energy regarding the future of the Natural Gas Expansion Program (ERO 019-7506)
June 14, 2021 – OFA letter to Premier Doug Ford regarding Natural Gas Expansion Program