Topic:"Stakeholder Engagement" in M12778

On March 31, 2025, the NSPSO submitted its first Annual Interconnection Process Proceeding Report (M12174) to the NSEB. The report provided a summary of its compliance status regarding Synapse's recommendations and the additional Board dir...

AI summary The NSPSO submitted an Annual Interconnection Process Proceeding Report (M12174) to the NSEB, addressing compliance with Synapse's recommendations and Board directives from M10905. The Board combined M10905 and M12174 for concurrent consideration, directed a stakeholder conference after public comments, and received feedback from Synapse, SBA, Natural Forces, and ESC. NS Power responded to comments, and the NSEB issued a decision in M10905/M12174.

In its letter of December 23, 2025, the Board provided the following with respect to further consideration of matter M12524: The panel intends to seek comments about Concentric's report and recommendations from participants in Matters M109...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB) is seeking input on Concentric's report and recommendations related to FERC Order 2023. The IESO-NS confirmed responsibility for addressing the report and has submitted a letter outlining its plans for the annual interconnection processes report. The NSPSO will handle distribution-related reporting, while IESO-NS handles transmission-related reporting.

6 Figure 2: Update Hosting Capacity Table Synapse Recommendation / Board Decision Directive Synapse Sub-Recommendations Synapse Recommendation: 6. Update the hosting capacity table by March of 2024 Board Directive: Update the NS Power host...

AI summary The document outlines a directive for NS Power to update its hosting capacity table by March 2024 and conduct technical workshops in late 2024. The updated table should include a coordinated dynamic hosting capacity analysis and facilitate flexible interconnection services.

DATE FILED: March 31, 2026 Page 12 of 33 1 2 workshops.10 the completion of the 3 NS Power scheduled two workshops, one in April 2025 and another in May 2025. The Company 4 held the first session April 17, 2025, as planned, and invited sta...

AI summary NS Power conducted two stakeholder workshops in 2025, but canceled the second due to lack of feedback. The NSEB accepted the compliance report. A cybersecurity incident impacted the distribution hosting capacity map, which remains temporarily unavailable. The Board directed NS Power to consider the connect and manage approach beyond current ERIS practices after reviewing FERC Order 2023.

Submissions The Small Business Advocate (SBA) has reviewed the IP Report and related filings in Ml 0905, M12174 and M12524 as well as Board directives cited above and finds that the issues raised have 5 M12778 N-1 IP Report, Figure 1 Statu...

AI summary The Small Business Advocate (SBA) reviews IP Reports and filings in matters Ml 0905, M12174, and M12524, noting that proposed cost allocation changes could disproportionately affect small businesses. The SBA requests a stakeholder session to discuss implications of adding cost allocations to NS Power's rate base outside a GRA before final comments are due.

Status of Recommendations and Directives In its comments, the SBA expresses concern that the Annual Report presents a "proposed conclusion of status"[1](#page-0-0) of Synapse recommendations and Board directives from M10905 without final s...

AI summary The SBA criticizes the 2026 Annual Report for marking Synapse recommendations and Board directives as 'Complete' without final stakeholder review. NS Power argues completeness was confirmed via M10905 and M12174 proceedings. Three new directives ('Connect and Manage Approach,' 'Curtailment,' 'Lower Capacity Threshold Effects') were marked complete for the first time in 2026.

Distribution Network Upgrade Cost Refund Regulation In Section 3.0 of the Annual Report, NS Power provided an update on Synapse's outstanding recommendation for NS Power to "Support Development of Additional Distribution Network Upgrade Co...

AI summary NSP updated on Synapse's recommendation for a refund regulation, discussed cost allocation proposals in M10905 and M12174 proceedings, and requested NSEB to accept the 2026 Annual Interconnection Process Report. NSEB provided cost allocation directions, and NSP deferred technical sessions to future proceedings.

Distribution Hosting Capacity In the Board's letter of July 17, 2024, regarding NS Power's CNMP 2023 Annual Report (M11626), NS Power was directed to incorporate certain additional metrics in future CNMP Annual Reports. NS Power was also d...

AI summary The Board directed NS Power to include additional metrics in future CNMP Annual Reports and address Synapse's recommendations in stakeholder workshops. NS Power held a workshop and filed a compliance report, which the Board accepted. Due to a cybersecurity incident, the hosting capacity map is temporarily unavailable, though updates will continue through annual reports.

Refund Regulation Regarding the refund regulation, Synapse initially recommended a cost allocation straw proposal which defined two categories of projects. For small projects, 50% of the total network upgrade cost would be treated as a rat...

AI summary The text discusses the refund regulation for network upgrade costs, with Synapse recommending a 50% rate base investment for small projects and 25% for large ones. NSPSO later proposed a 50% refund over 20 years, but NS Power revised this to require full funding by interconnection customers. Synapse disagreed, while NS Power argued against rate-basing without clear benefits. The SBA raised concerns about impacts on small businesses and requested a stakeholder review.

Board Findings and Directives The Board acknowledges that most of the 21 recommendations and directives related to the interconnection processes have been completed or transferred to the IESO-NS. Accordingly, the Board directs that going f...

AI summary The Board has acknowledged the completion of most recommendations related to interconnection processes and has directed IESO-NS and NS Power to submit annual reports on transmission and distribution interconnection issues, respectively. NS Power is also directed to provide updates on the status of network upgrade refunds and to consider stakeholder consultation before filing its application.