Transcript The Hearing and Decision Process

2013 Cost of Service Orientation Session
Filing Your Application –
How to File Electronically and
Technology in the Hearing Room
July 9, 2012
John Pickernell
Assistant Board Secretary
Legal Services and Board Secretary
Ontario Energy Board
Violet Binette
Project Advisor, Electricity Rates
Applications and Regulatory Audit
Ontario Energy Board
HOW TO FILE AN APPLICATION TO THE BOARD
User ID
• In order to submit an application or other
supporting documents using the Board’s Regulatory
Electronic Submission System “RESS”, a User ID
and password is required.
• Complete the User ID request form found on the eFiling Services page of the Board’s website, then
email this form to
[email protected] for processing.
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HOW TO FILE AN APPLICATION TO THE BOARD (cont.)
•
•
Submit through the Board’s RESS web portal. Each attachment must be less than 35
MB.
Convert documents to a searchable PDF format from the original software used (e.g.
Word, Excel, etc.)
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HOW TO FILE AN APPLICATION TO THE BOARD (cont.)
• Only scan documents that do not have electronic equivalents
(e.g., historic hard copies and maps).
• Confidential documents must be submitted to the Board only
as hard copies, unless otherwise directed.
• If the application/evidence is larger than 35 MB submitters
should divide large documents into logical sections. Ex:
THESL_APPL_Sec A Admin_yyyymmdd
• If the application/evidence is smaller than 35 MB submitters
should submit the Application as one entire PDF document.
Ex: THESL_APPL_yyyymmdd
Paper Copies
• Unless otherwise specified two paper copies are required to
be submitted on the same date as the electronic submission.
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REVISIONS AND UPDATES OF APPLICATION
• Revisions to an application or supporting evidence will
require electronic re-submission of the section or the
entire document.
• If the application was first submitted in sections the
revised electronic section must be re-submitted. A cover
letter detailing the changes is required.
• If the application was submitted as one entire PDF the
entire electronic document must be re-submitted. A
cover letter detailing the changes is required.
• The file name should remain the same except for the
date on the end.
• Two paper copies of the revised section only to be
submitted
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STANDARDS
• The current standard for RESS
submissions is PDF format or XLS for
Excel spreadsheets
• All documents submitted electronically
should be in a searchable, unrestricted
PDF/A file format created using Adobe
Acrobat 7.0 Professional version or higher.
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Regulatory Document Search
• Access the Board’s Advanced Regulatory Document Search (RDS)
from the main page of the OEB website
• Search for documents in RDS using categories in the drop-down box
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TECHNOLOGY IN THE HEARING ROOM
Background
• Hearing rooms are equipped with audio
and video presentation system equipment
• Business Plan: evaluate technology
options to improve the hearing process
• Consulted internally, with applicants, with
intervenors and with other regulatory
agencies
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BENEFITS OF USING THE PRESENTATION SYSTEM
• Participants view the same evidence at the same
time
• Limits binder surfing
• Can compare exhibits side by side
• Assists court reporter
• Access to documents not on the record (e.g.
decisions from other proceedings)
• Potential reduction in paper and hearing time
• Potential to view exhibits remotely
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IN PROGRESS
• Documentation and training, ongoing
• “Pilots” in 2012
• Presentation system is available to LDCs
for technical conferences and oral hearings
• Other
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ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS
• Bookmarked electronic documents
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Pre-filed evidence (Exhibit, Tab, Schedule)
Interrogatories and responses (sorted as required)
Technical conference - undertakings and exhibits
Settlement agreement
Intervenor evidence
Oral hearing - undertakings and exhibits
• Transcripts, intervenor compendia
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DEPENDENCIES
• Presentation system operator
– Familiarity with evidence
– Trained to operate the presentation system
• Witnesses
– Integration of exhibits on the presentation
system with their binder notes
• Timely filing of cross examination
compendia, where applicable
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