OEB proposes Distribution System Code amendments

TORONTO, ONTARIO - The Ontario Energy Board issued a Notice of Revised Proposed Amendments to the Distribution System Code. The proposed amendments are intended to speed up the process to connect smaller generation facilities to the distribution system.

The amendments would exempt the following generation projects from the queuing process, while ensuring any reliability and customer impact issues can be addressed:

• generation facilities greater than 10 kilowatts (kW) and up to 250 kW that connect to a line of less than 15 kilovolts (kV); and

• generation facilities greater than 10 kW and up to 500 kW that connect to a line that is 15 kV or higher.

The amendments would support government policy by facilitating the connection of generation facilities that qualify under initiatives such as the renewable energy standard offer program and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs program for small farm-based biomass.

The Board invites interested parties to comment on the revised proposed amendments in writing by January 9, 2009.