Topic:"Information Disclosure" in M12249

1.2 GUIDING PRINCIPLES In developing the 2026 DSM Extension, E1 followed the same guiding principles as those which informed the 2023-2025 DSM Plan development: transparency, accessibility and equity. In terms of transparency, E1 is commit...

AI summary E1's 2026 DSM Extension adheres to transparency, accessibility, and equity principles. It maintains performance targets from the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, collaborates with the DSMAG, and allocates 20.2% of investments to low-income and equity communities through specific programs. Legislative changes creating a dedicated Energy Board and a proposed Benefit Cost Analysis Framework also influence the plan.

12 10. REPORTING - 13 In the 2026 DSM Extension, E1 proposes to be subject to the same DSM reporting as in the approved - 14 2023-2025 Plan. 2026 DSM Extension reporting activities would include 2026 Quarterly Reports, the 2026 - 15 Annual...

AI summary E1 proposes to maintain the same DSM reporting requirements as in the 2023-2025 Plan for the 2026 DSM Extension, including quarterly reports, annual progress reports, audited financial statements, and RBIA. Changes and enhancements to reporting are outlined in Table 26.

4.5 NS POWER RATE MODEL SCENARIOS - In the 2022 Historical Rate and Bill Impact Analysis proceeding, Synapse recommended that E1 continue - to improve transparency in the RBIA models, and E1 committed to working with NS Power to add M10830...

AI summary NS Power updated its rate model to improve transparency in DSM scenarios following Synapse's 2022 recommendations. E1 and Elenchus collaborated with NS Power to clarify DSM/No-DSM scenarios, adjusting the model without altering RBIA results. The model includes historical DSM costs, planned programs, and calculates revenue requirements by adding avoided costs to the 'DSM Benchmark' scenario.

IV. Evaluation Standards In this section we highlight three standards for evaluation: independence, transparency, and the desirability of familiarity with current evaluation guidelines. - (1) Independent Evaluator In energy efficiency eval...

AI summary The section outlines three evaluation standards: independence, transparency, and adherence to evaluation protocols. The Evaluator meets independence standards but requires improvements in transparency, such as disclosing detailed statistical test information. Most evaluations align with current methodological guidelines, though one exception exists.

to keep operational data proprietary and confidential, as a strategic policy. This is customary for some organizations. However, in contrast, evaluation requires both 65 62 We would show a numerical demonstration here, but the necessary nu...

AI summary The text discusses the tension between organizations' desire to keep operational data proprietary and the need for evaluators to access site data and interventions for accurate energy efficiency program assessments. It notes that restricted access can hinder evaluation, with consequences for reporting if data is withheld or not used in public reports.

Recommendations SVR2024-Compressed Air – 10. We strongly recommend that the compressed air program be redesigned to follow UMP protocol requirements. SVR2024-Compressed Air – 11. The Evaluator should examine and explain the unusual pattern...

AI summary Recommendations include redesigning the compressed air program to align with UMP protocol, investigating unusual savings patterns, and excluding clients who do not allow data access for evaluation.

A. General Recommendations There are four general recommendations . SVR24-G-1. The Savings Verification study recommends acceptance of the 2024 evaluation estimates for energy savings and demand reduction except for four programs . These a...

AI summary Four recommendations address energy savings program evaluations. Four programs (Residential Behavior, Residential Demand Response, BNI Demand Response, and BNI Custom Incentive Program’s compressed air component) are rejected due to insufficient practical savings despite statistical significance. Evaluations must flag programs with trivial savings, ensure protocol compliance, and disclose statistical test details for transparency.

3. BNI Custom Incentives Program (Custom Component – Compressed Air Leak Detection) SVR2024-Compressed Air – 10. We strongly recommend that the compressed air program be redesigned to follow UMP protocol requirements. SVR2024-Compressed Ai...

AI summary The document recommends redesigning the BNI Custom Incentives Program for compressed air leak detection to align with UMP protocols, investigating unusual savings patterns, and excluding clients who restrict site access or data sharing. These measures aim to ensure program integrity and transparency.

2) Provide enhanced reporting in the Quarterly and Annual Reports E1 understands the importance of transparency in reporting on rate class spending variances and is committed to enhancing the rate class spending reporting. In 2025, E1 enha...

AI summary E1 acknowledges the need for transparent reporting on rate class spending variances and plans to enhance reporting in 2026 by adding year-end forecasts in quarterly DSM reports and expanding annual reports to include projected rate class expenditures and variances for the entire Plan period.

E1 Responses to Industrial Group (IG) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) provides non-confidential responses to the Industrial Group's (IG) information requests, referencing Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) proceedings and Demand Side Management (DSM) initiatives. Key entities include Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSP) and the Public Utilities Act (PUA).

E1 Responses to Synapse Energy Economics (Synapse) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) is providing responses to information requests submitted by Synapse Energy Economics within a Nova Scotia regulatory proceeding. The context involves a non-confidential exchange of information related to the proceeding.

E1 Responses to Synapse Energy Economics (Synapse) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL

AI summary This document outlines E1's responses to information requests from Synapse Energy Economics, though no detailed content is provided in the given text. It is part of a regulatory proceeding involving Nova Scotia utility matters.

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE The document you are attempting to access has been filed in confidence. Some exhibits, noted as confidential, contain information which if released might cause financial or other harm to the party filing it, or which...

AI summary The document is a confidentiality notice from the Nova Scotia Energy Board, indicating that some exhibits contain confidential information. Access requires a Confidentiality Agreement, and contact details are provided for the Clerk of the Board. Document number 320036 is mentioned.

1 Request IR-2: Level" 3 2 Reference: 2024 Savings Verification, p. 52 re: discussion on the "Effect Size at the Household 4 - 5 a. Do the authors have any details on the dispersion of individual household savings 6 around the mean househo...

AI summary Request IR-2 Level 3 seeks clarification on household savings data from the 2024 Savings Verification report. It asks whether the authors provided details on the dispersion of individual household savings around the mean and whether the mean accurately represents participant outcomes in the behavior program.

10 Response IR-2-a: - 11 We do not have the data from which to answer the question. However, it may be available from - 12 the evaluation consultant or the DSM administrator. 13

AI summary The responder lacks data to answer the question but suggests consulting the evaluation consultant or DSM administrator for potential availability.

Response IR-12-a: - The source for the referenced customer data supporting the Verifier's findings is the evaluation - consultant's 2024 final report and E1 tracking sheet ex-ante claim for the two locations.

AI summary The response identifies the evaluation consultant's 2024 final report and E1 tracking sheet as the sources for customer data supporting the Verifier's findings.

Synapse On June 4, 2025, Synapse posed the following IR-08 to E1:[5](#page-6-1) Request IR-8: Please refer to Table 5: Program Savings & Investments on page 23 of the Evidence. Please provide an Excel workbook that reproduces Table 5 in fi...

AI summary Synapse requested E1 to provide an Excel workbook with five worksheets reproducing Table 5 data for 2023-2026, ensuring consistent formatting and zero values for inactive programs. The request is part of the E1 2026 DSM Extension Application (M12249).

5. Proprietary data issue The Peach Report states as follows in relation to the site access and documentation provided by the customer for project reviews:[42](#page-45-0) It is not unusual for some organizations to try to keep operational...

AI summary The Peach Report highlights a conflict between organizations' proprietary data policies and evaluation requirements. While some organizations restrict operational data access, evaluations necessitate site access and data sharing for accurate energy efficiency assessments. Evaluators must report restrictions that hinder independent evaluations or public reporting.

5.5 Mid-course Adjustments [67] The Industrial Group expressed concerns about E1's discretion to reallocate spending between programs and customer classes through "mid-course adjustments". The Industrial Group said E1 was granted this disc...

AI summary The Industrial Group criticizes E1's lack of definition for 'substantial change' in mid-course adjustments, arguing a 25% spending shift violates Board guidelines. E1 defends flexibility but commits to improved reporting. Proposed 2026 spending increases for industrial classes face scrutiny over customer cost impacts.

Request IR-11: Please provide the Statistics Canada data and related calculations referenced in the footnote on page 5 of 25 of E1's Evidence. Document: 321929 Date Filed: June 4/25 NSEB (E1) Page 4 of 6

AI summary Request IR-11 seeks Statistics Canada data and calculations referenced in a footnote on page 5 of E1's Evidence. The document, filed by NSEB (E1) on June 4/25, is part of a regulatory proceeding, requesting specific data for review.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REQUESTS 1 To: EfficiencyOne c/o James R. Gogan McInnes Cooper By email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) From: Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. Board Counsel Consultant Respo...

AI summary Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. is responding to EfficiencyOne's non-confidential information request, with responses due on June 25, 2025. They must provide electronic and hard copies, and Jenn Kallay is the contact person. The clerk is Crystal Henwood.

for DSM Reporting' for the Small Business Energy Solutions program component states, "Incidental low-income & equity savings = (total savings from residential dedicated low-income & affordable housing projects "Housing\ ")." Please discuss...

AI summary The document contains non-confidential information requests related to DSM reporting methodologies, the 2026 Plan Extension's alignment with future plans, energy and demand savings comparisons, evaluation plans for DSM programs, AMI data agreements, and demand response marketing strategies. Requests focus on low-income savings attribution, program evaluation frameworks, and regulatory compliance.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION REQUESTS To: E1 James R. Gogan EfficiencyOne Counsel From: The MEUs Responses Due: June 25, 2025 Contact Person: James MacDuff McInnes Cooper P.O. Box 730 Purdy's Wharf Tower II 1300 – 1969 Upper Water Street H...

AI summary A non-confidential information request is directed to EfficiencyOne (E1) by the MEUs, with responses due by June 25, 2025. Contact details for James MacDuff of McInnes Cooper are provided.

39 Request IR-3: 40 41 Reference: EfficiencyOne's Evidence, p. 23, Table 5 42 43 With reference to each of the programs, please provide in Microsoft Excel format a side-by-side 44 comparison of the originally filed budgets for 2025 and the...

AI summary The document requests a side-by-side comparison of 2025 and 2026 budgets for DSM programs in Excel format, detailed explanations for budget differences, underlying assumptions, formulas, and methods for allocating resources to low-income and equity customers. References to EfficiencyOne's Evidence are cited.

Request IR-14: Reference: page 65-66 2024 Verification Report: SVR2024-Compressed Air-12 "Proprietary data issue. It is not unusual for some organizations to try to keep operational data proprietary and confidential, as a strategic policy....

AI summary The text addresses a proprietary data issue in energy efficiency evaluations, emphasizing that while some organizations restrict data access strategically, evaluations require site access and usage data. If clients block evaluators from on-site measurements or data sharing, evaluators must report this. The request asks for details on clients who obstructed access during the 2024 independent evaluation.

1 M12249 2 3 4 NOVA SCOTIA ENERGY BOARD 5 6 7 IN THE MATTER OF: The Public Utilities Act 8 – and – 9 10 11 12 13 IN THE MATTER OF an application by EFFICIENCYONE for approval of the 2026 DSM Extension for Demand-Side Management Activities...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Energy Board is considering EfficiencyOne's application for a 2026 DSM Extension and amendment to a 2023-2025 Demand-Side Management Purchase Agreement with Nova Scotia Power Inc. The Consumer Advocate has requested information from H. Gil Peach & Associates LLC, with responses due July 3, 2025.

James R. Gogan Direct +1 (902) 563 5920 [email protected] 292 Charlotte Street Suite 300 Sydney NS Canada B1P 1C7 Tel +1 (902) 563 1000 Fax +1 (902) 563 1113 Our File: 262880 June 25, 2025 Nova Scotia Energy Board 3 rd Floor, 1...

AI summary EfficiencyOne submits responses to multiple Information Requests (IRs) in the M12249 proceeding regarding its 2026 DSM Extension application. Responses include filings from the Consumer Advocate, Industrial Group, Municipal Electric Utilities, Nova Scotia Energy Board, Small Business Advocate, and Synapse, with some documents redacted for confidentiality.

d, whether printed or electronic. Designated Confidential Information shall also include any password or other information necessary to access electronic copies of Designated Confidential Information. - 3. Access to Designated Confidential...

AI summary This section outlines the restrictions and conditions for accessing Designated Confidential Information in a regulatory proceeding. Access is limited to specific parties and their counsel, and there are strict rules about how such information can be referenced or shared, including the possibility of in camera hearings.

James R. Gogan Direct +1 (902) 563 5920 [email protected] 292 Charlotte Street Suite 300 Sydney NS Canada B1P 1C7 Tel +1 (902) 563 1000 Fax +1 (902) 563 1113 Our File: 262880 July 3, 2025 Nova Scotia Energy Board 3 rd Floor, 16...

AI summary EfficiencyOne submits responses to information requests (IRs) from the Industrial Group (IRs 1–7) and Small Business Advocate (IRs 1–5) regarding the (Peach) 2024 Savings Verification Review Report in regulatory proceeding M12249. The submission pertains to the 2026 DSM Extension application for demand-side management activities.

DEMAND RESPONSE As is evident from the Application (Table 5), the residential demand response program fails both the TRC and PAC tests by a wide margin: 0.3, for both. The BNI demand response program component passes the TRC with a ratio o...

AI summary The residential and BNI demand response (DR) programs fail TRC and PAC tests, with E1's efforts criticized for lack of transparency and formal pilot reports. The Industrial Group urges E1 to improve program effectiveness, commit to cost-effective DR, and coordinate with NSPI for data. Synapse recommends locational DSM in grid-constrained areas, which E1 claims lacks necessary data.

three years and admitted that its class allocations were largely developed using a single year of historical data (2020 actuals). It outlined its go-forward strategies. Specifically, it committed to: - 1. Improve the accuracy of the estima...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) admitted using single-year data for DSM Plan rate class allocations and outlined improvements: using three-year data, enhanced reporting with variance explanations, and managing spending variances exceeding 25%. References include legal cases and exhibits detailing program adjustments.

4.7 INTRA-TERM VARIANCES - 23 The Industrial Group characterizes a 25% change in planned spending by program and customer class as a - 24 "substantial change" and asks the Board to direct tighter within-class controls. While E1 agrees that...

AI summary The Industrial Group argues a 25% spending variance in DSM programs requires tighter controls, but E1 (NS Power) warns this could hinder DSM portfolio management. E1 responded to concerns with enhanced reporting, including quarterly/year-end forecasts, variance explanations, and stakeholder engagement. The Board previously acknowledged E1's concerns about overly restrictive caps.

5.4 Demand Response [64] E1 acknowledges the potential for further development within the demand response programs. It submits that concerns about the design of its demand response programs, including an analysis of any overlap with NS Pow...

AI summary E1 acknowledges potential for demand response program development but states concerns about program design, including overlap with NS Power's Critical Peak Pricing Program and substation data use, are outside the proceeding's scope. These issues should be addressed during E1's engagement with the DSMAG and application for the 2027-2031 DSM Plan.