The Power of Sustainability: How Local Distribution Companies Can Enable a Net-Zero Future

EIN EDA Power 400

May 12, 2022

Climate change is the biggest environmental, social, and economic threat facing our planet today. Thorough and immediate action is required to address the root cause of climate change, namely the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the combustion of fossil fuels to power our homes, modes of transportation and economy. Local distribution companies (LDCs) will need to navigate the environmental changes in the electricity industry that will occur and plan the adoption of new policies to support Canadian net-zero goals. This paper aims to inform distributors of opportunities related to net-zero initiatives and to identify regulatory barriers that need to be addressed to enable LDCs to achieve these goals. This will assist distributors in determining which roles their LDCs can undertake to facilitate and support net-zero initiatives.

Recommendations of the Net-Zero Report:

1. LDCs should be enabled to provide a broader range of services to customers, including:

a. EV charging infrastructure, make-ready investments, and fleet services,

b. On-site solar energy and storage solutions, including facilitating installation, financing and operations,

c. Options for renewable energy supply,

d. Customer support for beneficial electrification (e.g., fuel switching to electric), and e. Options for customer adoption of energy efficiency measures.

2. To enable effective distribution system planning in Ontario, additional guidance from the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) will be required, including:

a. Providing flexibility to LDCs to implement non-wires solutions as a procured service or a capital asset owned by the LDC (e.g., energy storage),

b. Scenario planning related to potential demand forecasts resulting from net-zero initiatives, and

c. Cost recovery for grid modernization investments related to visibility and operations of DERs

3. The utility remuneration framework that supports cost recovery and regulated return on investment should establish performance metrics related to the achievement of climate friendly targets, including the connection of non-emitting DERs, supporting the adoption of EVs, and deploying energy efficiency program

4. LDCs are encouraged to form partnerships within the communities they serve to support achievement of net-zero goals

5. Ontario’s LDCs must be part of planning and decision-making to ensure customers can successfully transition to low-carbon energy options.

Go HERE to download the full whitepaper

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Intralec Named New Sales Agency Partner for IDEAL Electrical in Central & Southwestern Ontario

    Intralec Named New Sales Agency Partner for IDEAL Electrical in Central & Southwestern Ontario

    July 7, 2025 Intralec Electrical Products is proud to announce our new partnership with IDEAL Electrical as their sales agency for the Central & Southwestern Ontario regions. As a Canadian manufacturer with over 60 years of experience producing quality products—many of which, like the Can-Twist wire connector and Yellow 77 lubricant, are made in Ajax,… Read More…

  • City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    July 4, 2025 The City of Winnipeg has launched an improved Permits Online web portal. This upgrade aims to make the permit process more convenient for customers. Permits Online is a one-stop shop to manage the permit process. Now, the web portal is easier to use because customers can navigate it using their mobile device. The portal… Read More…

  • Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    July 4, 2025 Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has launched Chapter 3 of its online Sustainability School, a free training program designed to empower its channel ecosystem partners to become leaders in sustainability. This chapter will focus on teaching businesses how to decarbonize and unlock the competitive… Read More…

  • United Chargers Launches Grizzl-E Club Charger-as-a-Service Subscription Model

    United Chargers Launches Grizzl-E Club Charger-as-a-Service Subscription Model

    July 4, 2025 United Chargers Inc., known for the Grizzl-E line of EV chargers, announces Grizzl-E Club, a first-of-its-kind charger as a service that provides a free EV Charger and pays drivers back for charging. Grizzl-E Club is designed to make EV ownership more rewarding, accessible, and future-ready. Beginning July 1st, Canadians can join the Grizzl-E… Read More…