Topic/Matter Intersection

Topic:"Regulatory Approval Processes" in M04819

Matter: E-ENSC-R-12 - Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation - Application for Approval of its Demand Side Management (DSM) Plan for 2013 - 2015
24 passages 9 documents

Regulatory Approval Processes across all matters →

E-1Notice of Application 2 passages
NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD
NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD fN THE MATTER OF: The Public Utilities Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c.380 as amended. - and- TN THE MATTER OF: An Application by Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation (ENSC) for Approval of an Electricity Demand Si...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board is considering an application by Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation (ENSC) for approval of its 2013-2015 Electricity Demand Side Management (DSM) Plan under the Public Utilities Act. The proceeding involves regulatory evaluation of the proposed energy efficiency initiatives.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO: The ova Scotia Utility and Review Board ("UARB" or "the Board") - 1. On January 26, 20 10, the ~J.ficiency Nova Scotia Corpowtiol1 Act, R.S.N.S. 2009 c.3 was proclaimed, establishing Efficiency Nova Scotia Corpora...

AI summary ENSC applies to the UARB for approval of its 2013-2015 DSM Plan, citing its role as the DSM Administrator since 2010 and alignment with the 2011 DSM Plan. The application references the Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation Act and Public Utilities Act, asserting the plan's public interest.

E-2Evidence of ENSC as DSM Administrator 8 passages
Section 4 p. p. 3
Responsibility and accountability for the administration of DSM programs were transferred from Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) to ENSC effective October 1, 2010, with transfer of operational activities phased in during the fall of 2010. The...

AI summary Responsibility for DSM programs was transferred from NSPI to ENSC in 2010. ENSC submitted its first DSM Plan in 2011, which was approved by the UARB. ENSC also filed several reports and methodologies in response to UARB orders, including a free ridership and spillover study.

3 2.1 2011 Energy Savings Achieved p. p. 9
3 2.1 2011 Energy Savings Achieved 4 In its July 27, 2010 Decision 1 5 , the UARB approved the 2011 DSM Plan, filed by NSPI, to 6 achieve an energy savings target of 158.5 GWh at an expenditure of up to $41.9 million. 7 8 Figure 2.1 shows...

AI summary In its July 27, 2010 Decision, the UARB approved the 2011 DSM Plan filed by NSPI, aiming to achieve 158.5 GWh of energy savings with a budget of up to $41.9 million. The evaluated savings results are subject to final verification by the UARB's savings verification consultant.

3. MULTI-YEAR PLANNING p. pp. 12-15
3. MULTI-YEAR PLANNING In its 2012 DSM Plan filing, ENSC indicated its intent to engage stakeholders in consultation and dialogue to further assess the available options for the implementation of a future multi-year regulatory model. Such...

AI summary ENSC engaged Dunsky to review its regulatory model and propose changes to enhance DSM programming flexibility. Dunsky identified strengths, such as transparency and operational flexibility, but highlighted the issue of a twelve-month approval period causing market uncertainty and limiting long-term planning.

Section 50 p. p. 31
On June 30, 2011, the Board ordered ENSC to develop and file, no later than September 30, 2011, its policy to track time and costs for electric and other fuel mandates. The June 30, 2011 Board Order also directed ENSC to undertake the nece...

AI summary In 2011, the UARB ordered ENSC to develop a policy for tracking time and costs related to electric and fuel mandates, and to consult stakeholders on cost allocation for DSM programs. ENSC hired Elenchus to develop a cost allocation model, review DSM cost allocation approaches, prepare preliminary cost tables, and analyze rate and bill impacts.

The Cost Allocation Report prepared by Elenchus, including attachments containing annual preliminary DSM program cost allocations and rate and billing impact analyses p. pp. 31-32
The Cost Allocation Report prepared by Elenchus, including attachments containing annual preliminary DSM program cost allocations and rate and billing impact analyses 1 for 2013-2015, is provided in Appendix C. 2 3 Elenchus has developed a...

AI summary The Cost Allocation Report by Elenchus outlines a two-part cost allocation model (CAM) for ENSC, used for financial statements and rate rider adjustments. Part One uses a methodology filed with the UARB in 2011, while Part Two allocates program costs to NSPI customer classes and is consistent with the DSM Cost Allocation Approach from the 2009 Settlement Agreement.

Preamble p. p. 82
As can be seen, the regulatory process is designed to maintain a full schedule of evaluations, reporting to the UARB and stakeholders, and opportunity for input. It also involves additional oversight from ENSC's independent board of direct...

AI summary The regulatory process ensures regular evaluations, reporting to the UARB and stakeholders, and opportunities for input. It enhances oversight and ENSC's ability to commit to the market but lacks long-term certainty compared to similar organizations.

CONCLUSION p. p. 89
CONCLUSION The current regulatory framework presents a number of important characteristics that enable effective DSM implementation. However, the short, one-year approval timeframe hinders the corporation's ability to commit to the market,...

AI summary The current regulatory framework supports DSM implementation but the one-year approval timeframe hinders long-term commitments and market transformation. Annual regulatory processes may also divert focus from delivering DSM savings.

The following table provides an overview of the oversight process we have recommended, while also indicating the extra-regulatory oversight involved. p. p. 89
The following table provides an overview of the oversight process we have recommended, while also indicating the extra-regulatory oversight involved. THREE-YEAR PLAN 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4...

AI summary The text outlines a three-year oversight process with regulatory filings, hearings, meetings, and reports, emphasizing ongoing activities and approvals by the Board of Directors and the Utility and Review Board.

E-2(r)Revised ENSC Evidence 5 passages
Section 4 p. p. 3
Responsibility and accountability for the administration of DSM programs were transferred from Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) to ENSC effective October 1, 2010, with transfer of operational activities phased in during the fall of 2010. The...

AI summary Responsibility for DSM programs was transferred from NSPI to ENSC in 2010. ENSC submitted its first DSM Plan in 2011, which was approved by the UARB. ENSC also filed responses and reports in accordance with UARB orders, including a free ridership and spillover study.

3. MULTI-YEAR PLANNING p. pp. 12-15
3. MULTI-YEAR PLANNING In its 2012 DSM Plan filing, ENSC indicated its intent to engage stakeholders in consultation and dialogue to further assess the available options for the implementation of a future multi-year regulatory model. Such...

AI summary ENSC engaged Dunsky to review its regulatory model and propose changes for a multi-year planning approach. Dunsky highlighted strengths like transparency and flexibility but noted that the twelve-month approval period creates uncertainty and limits long-term planning and investment.

CONCLUSION p. p. 90
CONCLUSION The current regulatory framework presents a number of important characteristics that enable effective DSM implementation. However, the short, one-year approval timeframe hinders the corporation's ability to commit to the market,...

AI summary The current regulatory framework supports DSM implementation but the one-year approval timeframe hinders the corporation's ability to commit to market and consumers, potentially impeding market transformation toward energy efficiency. Annual regulatory processes may also divert attention from delivering DSM savings.

The table below summarizes our findings. p. p. 90
The table below summarizes our findings. CRITERIA: PERFORMANCE DRIVERS LATITUDE OVERSIGHT Components No D isin ce nti ve s Inc en tiv es Re so urc es Re sp on siv en es s Ab ilit y t o C om mi t Tra ns pa ren cy Sa feg ua rds Inf lue nc e...

AI summary The table summarizes findings regarding the oversight framework for Energy Efficiency Nova Scotia (ENSC). It outlines criteria such as performance drivers, latitude, oversight, and cost, with notes on ENSC's lack of sales disincentives, strong reputational incentives, and challenges related to annual approval processes and cost considerations.

CRITERIA: PERFORMANCE DRIVERS p. p. 90
CRITERIA: PERFORMANCE DRIVERS LATITUDE OVERSIGHT Components No D isin ce nti ve s Inc en tiv es Re so urc es Re sp on siv en es s Ab ilit y t o C om mi t Tra ns pa ren cy Sa feg ua rds Inf lue nc e Co st Examples Are profits unaffected by...

AI summary This table discusses the criteria and performance drivers for ENSC (Energy Efficiency Nova Scotia), including components such as incentives, resources, responsiveness, and oversight. It outlines ENSC's current status, proposed changes, and notes on budget, flexibility, and transparency. The table also highlights the regulatory cost and long-term predictability challenges.

E-9ENSC (Consumer Advocate) Responses to IR-1 to IR-27 1 passage
Date Filed: March 30, 2012 ENSC CA IR-20 Page 1 of 1 p. p. 133
Date Filed: March 30, 2012 ENSC CA IR-20 Page 1 of 1 1 Request IR-21: 2 3 Please explain whether ENSC has adopted and agrees with the cost-allocation 4 recommendations Elenchus presents in Appendix C. 5 6 Response IR-21: 7 8 As noted on pa...

AI summary The document responds to a request regarding ENSC's adoption of cost-allocation recommendations from Elenchus's report. ENSC agrees with two recommendations, with one already adopted in the 2009 Settlement Agreement.

E-23Direct Testimony of Tim Woolf (Synapse) 3 passages
1 ENSC recommends that it continue to meet quarterly with the Board. Regular p. p. 24
the performance incentives resulting from an energy efficiency program are changed by 20 percent. 2 1 ENSC recommends that it continue to meet quarterly with the Board. Regular 22 mechanism must be carefully crafted and clearly understood...

AI summary ENSC recommends regular quarterly meetings with the Board. The discussion highlights challenges in balancing flexibility and oversight in energy efficiency programs, referencing experiences from Massachusetts where frequent filings occurred shortly after three-year plans were approved.

1 program administrator flexibility and regulatory review.4 That investigation has p. p. 24
1 program administrator flexibility and regulatory review.4 That investigation has 2 not yet been completed. 3 4 Q. What is your recommendation regarding ENSC's proposed trigger mechanism for the three-year plan? 5 A. I believe that there...

AI summary The discussion focuses on ENSC's proposed trigger mechanism for its three-year energy efficiency plan, recommending that ENSC notify the Board of significant changes in its Annual Progress Report. The Board is advised to review changes before implementation to avoid issues seen in Massachusetts. This includes adding or terminating programs, or altering budgets and savings estimates by more than 25%.

Direct Testimony of Tim Woolf Page 30 p. p. 24
Direct Testimony of Tim Woolf Page 30 1 Q. Please explain why you believe these prospective triggers are important. 2 A. ENSC may want to add a new program or terminate an existing program during 3 the course of the three-year plan, and th...

AI summary Tim Woolf emphasizes the importance of prospective triggers for energy efficiency programs, recommending triggers for efficiency budgets and savings at the sector level to ensure equity and regulatory oversight. He suggests a 25% trigger level and outlines how the Board should respond to notifications in Annual Progress Reports.

E-26Minutes of Settlement 1 passage
Minutes of Settlement
Minutes of Settlement WHEREAS on February 27, 2012, Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation ("ENSC") filed the 2013-2015 Demand Side Management (DSM) Plan Evidence and 2011 DSM Plan Evaluation Report ("the Application") with the Nova Scotia Uti...

AI summary This document outlines the settlement agreement reached by Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation regarding the 2013-2015 Demand Side Management (DSM) Plan Evidence and 2011 DSM Plan Evaluation Report. It notes the filing of evidence, revised hearing dates, and stakeholder engagement efforts.

08857Hearing Order 2 passages
ORDER
ORDER IT IS ORDERED that a hearing respecting an application by Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation ("ENSC") for approval of its Electricity Demand Side Management Plan for 2013 be conducted by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board ("Boa...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board has ordered a hearing for Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation's 2013 Electricity Demand Side Management Plan. The hearing is scheduled for April 17, 2012, with a detailed timetable provided for filings and procedural steps.

AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that notice of the hearing be given, in a form to be approved by the Board, by publishing it in accordance with the following schedule:
AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that notice of the hearing be given, in a form to be approved by the Board, by publishing it in accordance with the following schedule: Halifax Chronicle-Herald 2012 March 3, March 6, 2012 2012 March 9, The Cape B...

AI summary The document outlines an order for publishing notice of a hearing in Halifax and The Cape Breton Post, with dates specified for publication. The order is dated February 2, 2012, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

08857Hearing Order 1 passage
ORDER
ORDER IT IS ORDERED that a hearing respecting an application by Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation ("ENSC") for approval of its Electricity Demand Side Management Plan for 2013 be conducted by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board ("Boa...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board has ordered a hearing for Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation's 2013 Electricity Demand Side Management Plan. The hearing is scheduled to begin on April 17, 2012, with a detailed timetable provided for various procedural steps in the proceeding.

09175Multeese (ENSC) IR-12 to IR-14 (Supplemental) 1 passage
2012 NSUARB-E-ENSC-R-12
2012 NSUARB-E-ENSC-R-12 NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIE BOARD MATTER IN PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT - and IN THE MATTER OF: AN APPLICATION Corporation, To: Efficiency Scotia Corporation c/o Sean Foreman Wic ire Holm 2100-1801 Hollis Street Box 1054...

AI summary The document is a regulatory proceeding from 2012 involving Efficiency Scotia Corporation and the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. It includes a request for clarification on the method used to calculate the TRC in 2013 and a reference to a Navigant report. The document is part of a public utilities act matter and includes contact details for Multeese Consulting Inc.

Disclaimer: These summaries were generated by AI from the filings they describe. We take care to make them accurate, but errors are possible - and they aren't advice. Only the filings themselves are the record: if you're relying on something here, confirm it against the source documents or the Nova Scotia Energy Board's own record. Full disclaimer →