Topic:"Stakeholder Engagement" in M12412

17 Table 6: FTE Positions under the Administration Salaries and Wages Cost Category Positions Description Vice President of Regulatory Compliance, & Stakeholder Engagement/Chief Legal Counsel This senior leadership position is responsible...

AI summary The text presents Table 6, which outlines FTE positions under the Administration Salaries and Wages Cost Category. It describes roles such as the Vice President of Regulatory Compliance, the EA/Board Secretary, and the HR Manager, highlighting their responsibilities in regulatory compliance, administrative support, and human resources management.

17 C. Corporate Administration ($0.23M) - 18 The NSIESO is forecasting $0.23M in ongoing expenses as part of the Corporate Administration - 19 OM&A cost category. This cost category primarily consists of various types of insurance products...

AI summary The NSIESO is forecasting ongoing expenses of $0.23M under the Corporate Administration OM&A cost category, primarily consisting of insurance products and expenses related to stakeholder engagement.

- a. Directors Errors and Omissions Insurance: These costs are estimated for a $7 million per-claim E&O policy, based on benchmarking with other independent public agencies of a similar size in Nova Scotia. Premium quotes are expected to b...

AI summary The text outlines various insurance and administrative costs for the NSIESO, including errors and omissions, general liability, property, and cybersecurity insurance, as well as communication and stakeholder engagement plans. Premiums and cost estimates are based on benchmarking and industry standards.

For ease of reference, IESO Nova Scotia seeks to add additional background to the following table found in Exhibit B-2: Cost Category Gross Ongoing OM&A Forecast ($) Corporate Administration 0.23M Directors Errors and Omissions Insurance 0...

AI summary IESO Nova Scotia provides additional background on the budget items in Exhibit B-2, noting that formal quotes were not obtained for the listed costs, and instead, informal inquiries were made to estimate expenses for budgeting purposes.

STARTUP PHASE: The IESO is expected to immediately undertake key activities that support the establishment of the IESO organization and prepare for operational responsibilities. The startup phase will include: - securing service providers...

AI summary The IESO is entering the startup phase, which involves securing service providers, establishing governance, registering as a not-for-profit, recruiting leadership, and preparing for operational responsibilities, including working with NS Power and engaging stakeholders.

1 Request IR - 17 - 2 Reference: Exhibit B-2 (page 22 of 36, line 1, Table 9) - 3 a) What is the basis for the $0.05 million Stakeholder Engagement estimate? Please provide - 4 support for any underlying assumptions in this estimate. - 5 R...

AI summary The response to Request IR - 17 provides the basis for the $0.05 million Stakeholder Engagement estimate, assuming a monthly cost of $5,000 for the remaining 10 months of fiscal 2025-26, with up to 10 hours of activity per week.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 22 o Generic office capabilities – Planned for November 1, 2025 23 o System Planning capabilities – Planned for December 1, 2025 24 NPCC and NERC transition and compliance preparedness – Planned for December 1, - 25 2025 2...

AI summary The document outlines planned timelines and activities related to the transition and compliance of the NSEB and NSIESO, including system planning, resource procurement, and the implementation of Phase 2 of real-time dispatch operations. It also mentions the production of stakeholder bulletins and a proposed monthly reporting structure.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 Request IR - 2 2 Reference: Exhibit N-1(i), p. 2 of 36 3 The NSIESO notes that it does not have historical organizational experience and operational 4 data. 5 a) Has the NSIESO reached out to NS Power to obtain informati...

AI summary The NSIESO has engaged with NS Power and other system operators to gather information on organizational experience and operational data, which has informed the transition planning and application for the NSIESO. This information has shaped staffing, budgeting, and compensation strategies.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 21 g) Please clarify if the management team structure is expected to remain the same, as 22 described in the Application, once the NSIESO is fully phased-in? Are there additional 23 positions expected? Please provide cost...

AI summary The response outlines the structure and evolution of the NSIESO management team, noting that the CEO will start in August 2025 and other roles will be filled as recruitment progresses. The NSIESO is in its start-up phase and will require new roles for policy, regulatory, and administrative functions. The compensation structure is evolving, with only the CEO receiving a performance bonus. No cost estimates for management changes are currently available.

Request IR – 3 - Refer to the Application and Exhibit B-2 Ongoing OM&A Cost Category Detail, subsection C, - Corporate Administration ($0.23M), on pages 21-23 of 36, and respond to the following: - a) For the cybersecurity insurance cost o...

AI summary The document requests detailed information on cybersecurity insurance costs and stakeholder engagement expenses from the Application and Exhibit B-2, specifically under the Corporate Administration section. It asks for policy details on the cybersecurity insurance and confirmation on whether stakeholder engagement costs are one-time expenses.

Response IR - 2 - a) With the current focus on transition activities NSIESO has not specifically assessed Net Zero Atlantic's report entitled "Mitigating the Impact of Building Electrification on Peak Demand in Atlantic Canada" and how it...

AI summary NSIESO has not assessed Net Zero Atlantic's report on building electrification's impact on peak demand but plans to incorporate stakeholder input in its IRP process starting October 2025. No updates on the ELCC study are provided, though discussions with Nova Scotia Power are anticipated.

Current status of IRP - 9 Per the NSIESO's response to NSEB-IR-17, they have yet to complete high-level and detailed planning of activities to - complete its first IRP. A typical long-term planning process takes about a year to complete. H...

AI summary The NSIESO has not yet completed planning for its first IRP due to the transition from NSPI, with expected system planning results by July 2026 and IRP completion by end of 2026. They plan to start the IRP exercise in October 2025, including stakeholder engagement and resource assessments.

sultant. This forecast was derived based on an estimate of 300 billable hours at $150/hour which is based on the NSIESO's assessment of the average rates in Nova Scotia for experienced communication professionals. Per the NSIESO's response...

AI summary The NSIESO has provided a forecast for stakeholder engagement costs, based on an estimate of 300 billable hours at $150/hour, with ongoing monthly costs of $5,000 for the remainder of fiscal 2025-26. These costs are intended to support early stakeholder outreach and ongoing engagement activities.

4.3.2.8.2 300MW RFP - Per the Application, these costs are for the NSIESO to develop and carry out a competitive 300 MW RFP. The RFP is expected to be issued in early Fall of 2025 and the successful proponent is expected to be selected in...

AI summary The NSIESO is developing a 300 MW RFP with expected issuance in early Fall 2025 and selection in late Fall 2025. Costs include documentation, legal, engineering, and a 20% contingency fee aligned with Class C estimates from the Government of Canada. Deliverables include power purchase agreements and replicable RFP processes.

1 Current status and timeline for the 300MW RFP - 2 Per the NSIESO's response to SEE-IR-4, the intention is to open the RFP in calendar Q1 2026 and provide eight - 3 weeks for bid submission. The NSIESO decided to use calendar Q4 2025 to f...

AI summary The NSIESO plans to open the 300MW RFP in Q1 2026 with an eight-week bid submission period. Q4 2025 will focus on refining documentation through hiring engineering firms, incorporating feedback from New Brunswick Power's procurement process, and stakeholder input. Only the advisory firm and engineering firm support functions remain uncontracted.

21 6.3.1.2 Transition planning and communication

AI summary The section addresses transition planning and communication within the regulatory context, likely involving energy sector stakeholders and processes. Key entities include Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB) and Nova Scotia Independent Energy System Operator (NSIESO), with potential focus on organizational transitions, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory compliance.

Transition update process 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 29 30 - 5 As explained in the response to NSEB-IR-1, to provide transparency on progress, the NSIESO plans to implement 6 the following: - They produced their first stakeholde...

AI summary The NSIESO plans to enhance transparency during the transition process by issuing stakeholder bulletins and monthly reports to the NSEB. The first bulletin was sent on September 23, 2025, with future updates planned. Monthly reports will cover people/roles, facilities/technology, and compliance, submitted one month after the reporting period.

thout needed the proposed coal plant in the CPCN application by Wisconsin Power and Light for construction of a 300 MW coal plant. On behalf of Clean Wisconsin. August 11, 2008 and September 15, 2008. Ontario Energy Board (Docket EB-2007-0...

AI summary Testimonies opposing a Wisconsin coal plant (CPCN application), critiquing Ontario's demand response procurement, and addressing PJM RTEP cost allocation. Involves Clean Wisconsin, Pollution Probe, and the New Jersey Ratepayer Advocate, with multiple regulatory docket references.

- (ii) Volatility and variability Expense categories that are highly variable would be considered to have a higher degree of significance. 1 (iii) – Expenses that Impact on end user decision-making 2 frequently impact decisions would have...

AI summary The text discusses the importance of volatility and variability in expense categories and outlines filing requirements for future applications. It emphasizes the significance of expenses that impact decision-making, such as those related to reliability and safety. It also addresses accounting policies for the NSIESO, suggesting that consistency with Nova Scotia Power Inc.'s US GAAP could offer benefits in comparability, alignment, and transparency.

3.4 Minimum Filing Requirements and Financial Controls [51] As discussed above, it was determined through the IR process that IESO Nova Scotia relied on generic market information and informal discussions to determine its forecasted expens...

AI summary The document outlines recommendations for minimum filing requirements for IESO Nova Scotia, including formal support for significant budget items and stakeholder engagement evidence. Doane Grant Thornton advised implementing these requirements, while the Industrial Group emphasized detailed financial and engagement documentation in future submissions.

3.4.1 Findings - [53] The Board agrees with Doane Grant Thornton's recommendations in its evidence and the Industrial Group's submissions that the development of minimum filing requirements provides greater transparency and allows interest...

AI summary The Board endorses recommendations for minimum filing requirements in revenue applications, enhancing transparency and enabling thorough scrutiny of assumptions and financial data. Requirements include formal support for assumptions, historical financial data, projected results, and an annual business plan aligned with the More Access to Energy Act , plus stakeholder engagement details.

ll not be available before July 1, 2026, and, subject to stakeholder engagement and feedback, the NSIESO expects to complete the first IRP exercise by the end of 2026. [Exhibit N-7, IR-17, PDF p. 43] [62] In Synapse IR-2, it was asked abou...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process faces delays until 2026, with Synapse reviewing the IESO Nova Scotia's compliance with the More Access to Energy Act . Synapse recommends modeling considerations, including regional system approaches and stakeholder input on studies like the ELCC and Net Zero Atlantic Hybrid Peak Study. NSIESO aims to complete the first IRP by 2026, pending stakeholder engagement.

he IRP exercise, which Synapse supported. The Board accepts Synapse's evidence that the IESO appears to have enough support between internal staff and external consultants to conduct the IRP exercise. [75] While the Industrial Group was en...

AI summary The Board accepts Synapse's evidence regarding the IESO's capacity to conduct the IRP exercise. The Industrial Group urges a detailed IRP schedule by March 1, 2026, with stakeholder engagement. The IESO plans a February 2026 workshop and aims to publish the schedule by April 2026. The Board expects Synapse's recommendations, aligned with the More Access to Energy Act , to be addressed in the IRP.

The Board orders that: - 1. IESO Nova Scotia's expenditure and revenue requirement for its initial test year ending March 31, 2026, is approved at $6,751,287, with a net amount of $5,306,824 after the application of provincial funding. - 2...

AI summary The Board approves IESO Nova Scotia's expenditure and revenue requirement for 2026, sets guidelines for future applications, and outlines requirements for integrated resource planning and quarterly reporting. The decision emphasizes detailed financial controls, engagement with Indigenous groups, and integration of emissions offset costs into modeling.

EFFICIENCYONE NOTICE OF INTERVENTION TAKE NOTICE that EfficiencyOne hereby intervenes in this proceeding in accordance with the Regulations. EfficiencyOne is a public utility and franchise holder for the provision of electricity efficiency...

AI summary EfficiencyOne intervenes in a Nova Scotia Energy Board proceeding under the Public Utilities Act, asserting its role as NSPI's electricity efficiency franchise holder. It intends to participate in the hearing, citing direct interest in issues related to the Energy Board's jurisdiction.

SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCATE TAKE NOTICE that the Small Business Advocate hereby Intervenes in this proceeding in accordance with the regulations. The Small Business Advocate represents 3 classes of small business (namely 10, 11, and 21 - small...

AI summary The Small Business Advocate intervenes in a regulatory proceeding, representing three classes of small businesses (10, 11, 21) affected by an application. Contact details for the advocate, Blackburn Law Inc., and Daymark Energy Advisor are provided.

Request IR-9: - Reference: Exhibit N-1(i), p. 8 of 36 - The NSIESO notes that one of the key transition activities that has been completed or is underway - is initiating stakeholder engagement. - a) Have Indigenous communities been include...

AI summary Request IR-9 seeks information from the NSIESO regarding stakeholder engagement activities, including Indigenous community inclusion, engagement with Maritime province system operators, and involvement of the Northeast Power Coordinating Council. It also asks about completed activities, future plans, and feedback received.

Request IR-3: - Refer to the Application and Exhibit B-2 Ongoing OM&A Cost Category Detail , subsection C, - Corporate Administration ($0.23M), on pages 21-23 of 36, and respond to the following: - a) For the cybersecurity insurance cost o...

AI summary The document requests detailed information on cybersecurity insurance costs and stakeholder engagement expenses from the Application and Exhibit B-2, specifically under the Corporate Administration section. It asks for policy details on the insurance and confirmation on whether stakeholder engagement costs are one-time expenses.

Non-Confidential To: The Nova Scotia Independent Energy System Operator ("NSIESO") 16. Reference: Exhibit B-2 (page 22 of 36, lines 17-20 & page 23 of 36, lines 1-2)… "Communications Plan: These costs are to engage a senior communications...

AI summary The document contains questions from a regulatory proceeding directed at the Nova Scotia Independent Energy System Operator (NSIESO), seeking clarification on the basis for cost estimates related to the Communications Plan, Stakeholder Engagement, and Board Compensation and Expenses.

set a fixed benchmark. It asked that if a threshold is set, "the NSEB provide IESO Nova Scotia the opportunity to consider and provide comments on the appropriate threshold in future".[10](#page-2-10) Based on the evidence filed in this pr...

AI summary The document discusses the 10% threshold for the Deferral Account, deeming it reasonable and aligned with industry standards. It notes the Industrial Group's willingness to engage stakeholders if the account continues. DGT recommends prudence reviews for cost overruns exceeding budgets, a measure the Industrial Group supports to protect ratepayers.

Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Process Synapse Energy Economics, retained as Board Counsel's consultant, has provided evidence recommending several areas for consideration in IESO-NS's IRP process. Synapse encouraged an expeditious app...

AI summary Synapse Energy Economics advises an expedited Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process for IESO-NS due to its impact on procurement and investment planning. IESO-NS has initiated the IRP with an RFP and Dunsky Energy + Climate, but lacks stakeholder engagement. The Industrial Group urges publication of a detailed IRP timeline by March 1, 2026, to ensure meaningful stakeholder participation.

Conclusion The Industrial Group respectfully requests the following Order and directions to IESO-NS: - 1. Approve the creation of a time-limited net OM&A Deferral Account covering the period ending March 31, 2026, and adopt the DGT recomme...

AI summary The Industrial Group requests the NSEB and IESO-NS to approve a time-limited net OM&A Deferral Account, adopt DGT's 10% cost overrun threshold, and mandate detailed reporting in future RR applications, including stakeholder engagement evidence, financial controls, monthly progress updates, and an IRP schedule by March 2026.

Summary The SBA has reviewed IESO-Nova Scotia's Application, its responses to intervenor information requests, the evidence of Doane Grant Thornton and Synapse Energy Advisors, as well as IESO-Nova Scotia's rebuttal comments and agrees wit...

AI summary The SBA agrees with recommendations for IESO-Nova Scotia to provide more information on financial control mechanisms but is concerned about its early development stage. It requests the NSEB mandate stakeholder sessions to finalize costs and explain rate recovery plans, emphasizing oversight to minimize customer financial burdens and ensure alignment with provincial energy reform goals.

Future Costs & Recovery The SBA provided the following recommendations regarding future IESO Nova Scotia cost recovery: The SBA … respectfully submits that the NSEB should require IESO-Nova Scotia to engage in further stakeholder sessions...

AI summary The SBA recommends stakeholder sessions for IESO Nova Scotia to explain cost recovery plans and avoid customer burden. IESO responds that predicting future costs is challenging due to ongoing operations like real-time dispatch transition and energy procurement, but commits to developing a permanent cost recovery mechanism by Q2 2026 and engaging stakeholders.

Evidentiary Requirements IG recommended the following with respect to evidentiary requirements of future revenue requirement applications: 2. As part of future RR applications, include the following at minimum: 8 Small Business Advocate Su...

AI summary The document outlines evidentiary requirements for future revenue requirement (RR) applications, including financial results, budget support, stakeholder engagement, and deferral justifications. IESO Nova Scotia agrees to provide documentation with caveats, while DGT emphasizes formal support for significant budget items. The More Access to Energy Act mandates annual reporting for stakeholder engagement.

nt as part of its revenue requirement applications, where costs both budgeted and actual can be addressed in full, and written proceedings including IRs and intervenor submissions can be accommodated. Regarding publishing a detailed IRP sc...

AI summary IESO Nova Scotia outlines its revenue requirement applications, noting that costs can be fully addressed. The IRP schedule is expected by April 2026, informed by a Dunsky-led stakeholder engagement process. A stakeholder workshop is planned for February 2026. Reference is made to NSEB IR-1 and matter number M12412.

3.4 Minimum Filing Requirements and Financial Controls [51] As discussed above, it was determined through the IR process that IESO Nova Scotia relied on generic market information and informal discussions to determine its forecasted expens...

AI summary The document outlines recommendations for minimum filing requirements for IESO Nova Scotia's financial applications, emphasizing formal support for budget items and stakeholder engagement. Doane Grant Thornton advised the Board to require detailed evidence for forecasted expenses, while the Industrial Group proposed four specific requirements, including historical financial data, stakeholder collaboration details, and justification for deferral amounts.

3.4.1 Findings - [53] The Board agrees with Doane Grant Thornton's recommendations in its evidence and the Industrial Group's submissions that the development of minimum filing requirements provides greater transparency and allows interest...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB) endorses minimum filing requirements for revenue applications, emphasizing transparency and thorough evidentiary support. Requirements include detailed financial data, formal assumption documentation, annual business plans aligned with the More Access to Energy Act , and stakeholder engagement details.

ll not be available before July 1, 2026, and, subject to stakeholder engagement and feedback, the NSIESO expects to complete the first IRP exercise by the end of 2026. [Exhibit N-7, IR-17, PDF p. 43] [62] In Synapse IR-2, it was asked abou...

AI summary The NSIESO plans to complete the first Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) exercise by late 2026, pending stakeholder input. Synapse, engaged by the NSEB, reviewed the IRP process and recommended modeling considerations, including cost analysis for renewable resources and regional system integration. Key references include matter M12217.

he IRP exercise, which Synapse supported. The Board accepts Synapse's evidence that the IESO appears to have enough support between internal staff and external consultants to conduct the IRP exercise. [75] While the Industrial Group was en...

AI summary The Board accepts Synapse's evidence regarding the IESO's capacity to conduct the IRP exercise. The Industrial Group urged the IESO to publish an IRP schedule by March 1, 2026, including stakeholder engagement timelines. The IESO responded with a planned stakeholder workshop in February 2026 and a schedule by April 1, 2026. The Board expects Synapse's recommendations, aligned with the More Access to Energy Act , to be addressed in the IRP.

3.6 Reporting on the Transition from NS Power [78] IESO Nova Scotia stated that it will assume the system operator responsibilities under the More Access to Energy Act in a two-phased transition. In the first phase of the transition, it wi...

AI summary The IESO Nova Scotia outlined a two-phase transition from NS Power, with Phase 1 (system planning, procurement) by Q4 2025 and Phase 2 (real-time dispatch) by Q2 2027. The IESO proposed monthly transition reports for oversight, while the Industrial Group requested expanded reporting on costs, milestones, and collaboration. The IESO argued expanded reporting would increase regulatory burden.

4.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS [87] The Board approves IESO Nova Scotia's proposed expenditure and revenue requirement for its initial test year ending March 31, 2026. For the initial test year, this approved amount is $6,751,287, with a net amou...

AI summary The Board approves IESO Nova Scotia's expenditure and revenue requirement for the initial test year ending March 31, 2026, at a net amount of $5,306,824 after provincial funding. It also sets requirements for future applications, including financial controls, formal support for assumptions, historical financial data, and engagement with Indigenous groups. The IESO is directed to address specific issues in its integrated resource planning, including modeling scenarios and emissions costs, and to provide quarterly reports on its transition from NS Power.