Streamlining the Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) Exemption Process

O. Reg 506/18 sets out Ontario’s Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) program for prescribed buildings 50,000 square feet and larger. Building owners are required to report their energy and water consumption data to the Ministry of Energy (ENERGY) by July 1 every year via Energy Star Portfolio Manager.

To promote administrative efficiency, ENERGY is proposing to amend O.Reg. 506/18 to streamline the exemption process for eligible building owners by removing the requirement to submit supporting documentation when requesting either an on-going or annual exemption from reporting.

The process of a building owner providing ENERGY with a written notice, as well as documents supporting the exemption request may be considered burdensome by stakeholders. As such, removing the requirement to provide supporting documentation for each applicable exemption criterion could reduce the effort for building owners and contribute to red tape reduction.

Under this Regulation, eligible building owners can be exempt from reporting their energy consumption data for either a single calendar year, or ongoing. The current exemption process requires building owners to provide written notice as well as supplementary documents to ENERGY to support the exemption. These supplementary documents could include: a signed letter from the owner confirming that they meet the exemption requirements, square footage of the property that is occupied by the exempted building uses, copy of certificate for occupancy of the property, copy of the tax arrears certificate, notice of power of sale or foreclosure, writ of execution or proof of bankruptcy.

In order to enhance administrative efficiency and reduce red tape, ENERGY is proposing to amend O.Reg 506/18, which, if approved, would remove the requirement for stakeholders to provide supporting documents when applying for an exemption.

As the ministry seeks additional opportunities to improve the efficiency, relevance and impact of the EWRB program, we invite stakeholder feedback regarding additional considerations related to the exemption criteria such as eligibility.