Ontario Electricity Rebate to take effect on November 1
October 31, 2019
The new Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) will commence on November 1, 2019 and will be applied to bills for most residential consumers, farms and many small businesses. The OER is a provincial rebate equal to 31.8 per cent of the base invoice amount as defined in O.Reg 363/16 and is an expansion of the former 8 per cent rebate and replacement of the rate reduction previously provided by Global Adjustment Refinancing under the Fair Hydro Plan.
The OER for customers of a local distribution company (LDC) or a unit sub-meter provider (USMP) will be settled directly by the LDC or USMP. LDCs and USMPs will claim a reimbursement of the financial assistance provided to their eligible customers on a monthly basis through their respective IESO online settlement form. The OER for eligible IESO market participants will be settled by the IESO.
The IESO will hold a webinar in late November for LDCs and USMPs to provide instructions on submitting the new online settlement forms. Forms for the first OER period, commencing November 1, must be submitted between December 2 and 5, 2019.
For background information, please see the Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers Act, 2016 and the General OREC regulation.