While setting rates for Union Gas Ltd., a natural gas local distribution company (LDC), the Ontario Energy Board found the LDC's demand-side management (DSM) plan deficient and ordered shareholders to bear the cost of any required remedies. The Board found, however, that denying the DSM budget would make it harder for the LDC to accomplish energy conservation and environmental objectives and, would run contrary to the public interest. It characterized the plan as "essentially a marketing plan for the Company's continuing involvement in the supply of energy efficiency goods and services" that falls short of compliance with its existing DSM guidelines. The Board found the plan so deficient that it counseled the utility to consider contracting for consulting assistance in developing an objective DSM plan. Re Union Gas Ltd., E.B.R.O. 486, July 19, 1995 (Ont.E.B.).
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