The provincial government intends to reverse an Ontario Energy Board decision related to the hook-up of new natural gas services.
The OEB approved in December that residents and businesses pay the full costs upfront.
Prior to the decision, homeowners were given 40 years.
Energy Minister Todd Smith says the decision was irrational.
“This one was rushed, it was rational, didn’t have the proper people providing information to the commissioners that were hearing the case,” says Smith.
“So what we’re doing is ensuring that we don’t have to intervene again by making sure that the proper process is followed.”
Smith also plans to appoint a new chair of the Energy Board.
He denounces the suggestion that the government is trying a takeover of the board.
“To be clear, we lost our OEB chair. He passed away. And so, we needed to appoint a new chair at the OEB, and we’re going to be doing that.”
“We’re going to bring forward our natural gas policy over the next number of months, and then we’re going to allow the OEB, given the policy direction that comes from the government, to do a rerun and make a decision, and to the points that have been made, perhaps that 40-year revenue horizon will be reduced. But they have to be acting with all of the information.”
