Re: (ERO #019-2846)…

Re: (ERO #019-2846) Mandatory Information Re Connections under the Electricity Act

Hydro Ottawa Limited appreciates the opportunity to submit comments on the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines’ (“the Ministry’s”) regulatory proposal for the revocation of O. Reg. 326/09: Mandatory Information Re Connections.

Hydro Ottawa Limited (“Hydro Ottawa” or “the utility”) is a licensed Local Distribution Company (“LDC”), serving approximately 345,000 customers in the City of Ottawa and the Village of Casselman.

As a licensed LDC, Hydro Ottawa complies with all regulatory reporting requirements from the Ministry, the Independent Electricity System Operator (“IESO”) and the Ontario Energy Board (“OEB”). The utility wishes to express its support for the removal of the quarterly reporting requirements that pertain to the number of connection impact assessments completed and technical information about the ability of the distribution system to accommodate more facilities. Further, Hydro Ottawa supports aligning the connection timelines with those of other generation types, in accordance with the government’s aim of cutting red tape and reducing regulatory burdens.

In addition, Hydro Ottawa wishes to clarify that, should revocation of O. Reg. 326/09 proceed, the associated provisions within Section 6.2 of the Distribution System Code and the Regulatory Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements would be amended accordingly.