How transmission is regulated in Canada

In Canada, jurisdiction over electricity transmission is divided among the federal, provincial and territorial governments.

The federal government is involved in electricity issues when transmission lines cross international and inter-provincial borders. All electricity exports and export facilities, such as international power lines, are licensed by the National Energy Board.

Energy boards and governments in the provinces establish rules and regulations that govern transmission lines in their own provinces. For example, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), Ontario’s provincial electricity regulator, works closely with the Independent Electric System Operator (IESO) and other agencies to regulate the province’s electricity market. The OEB establishes and enforces rules for the treatment of transmission companies and other aspects of the electricity business, including the costs to send electricity from generation stations over the transmission lines to local distribution systems.