B R I T I S H C O LU M B I A a U T IL I T I E S C O M M IS S I O N O R D E R N U M B ER C-10-97 SIXTH FLOOR, 900 HOWE STREET, BOX 250 TELEPHONE: (604) 660-4700 VANCOUVER, B.C. V6Z 2N3 BC TOLL FREE: 1-800-663-1385 CANADA FACSIMILE: (604) 660-1102 IN THE MATTER OF the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473 and An Application by R 334 Enterprises Ltd. regarding a Propane Grid System to serve the Big White Ski Resort Area BEFORE: K.L. Hall, Commissioner ) P.G. Bradley, Commissioner ) December 18, 1997 CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY WHEREAS: A. On July 13, 1997, Big White Ski Resort Ltd. ("Big White") contacted the Commission indicating that it intended to develop an underground propane grid system to replace the individual tanks that provided bottled propane service to commercial buildings in the area. On July 15, 1997 the Commission provided Pushor Mitchell, lawyers representing Big White, with details concerning the regulation, under the Utilities Commission Act ("the Act"), of an underground propane grid system; and B. On October 31, 1997, Big White informed the Commission that the propane grid distribution system had been constructed by its subsidiary R 334 Enterprises Ltd. ("R 334"), expressed its intention to apply for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity ("CPCN"), and requested interim approval to operate the system; and C. The Big White filing included a letter dated October 22, 1997 from the Safety Engineering Services office of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs in Kelowna stating that the Gas Safety Branch supports the installation of underground propane grid systems as they eliminate several propane tank installations and the related safety concerns; and D. On November 26, 1997, R 334, with the support of the eight commercial customers who are currently receiving propane via the grid system, filed an Application ( the "Application") requesting exemption from regulation as a public utility under Part 3 of the Act; and .../2
B R IT I S H C O L U M B I A U T IL I T I E S C O M M I S S I O N O R D E R N U M B ER C-10-97 2 E. It is the intention of the Commission to request the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to exempt R 334 at this time under Section 88(3) of the Act, but with recognition that, in the event that additional customers are connected to the grid system, a situation may develop wherein an exemption is no longer appropriate; and F. The Commission has considered the filings and supporting documentation and finds that approval of a CPCN for construction and operation of the underground propane grid system is necessary and in the public interest. NOW THEREFORE the Commission, pursuant to Section 45 of the Act, orders as follows: 1. R 334 is granted a CPCN to serve the Big White Ski Resort area and the surrounding area by way of an underground propane grid distribution system, including related propane storage and vapourizer equipment. The service area is generally described by the shaded area shown on the map that is attached as Appendix A to this Order, and which is identified as Big White Ski Resort Propane Grid at Buildout. 2. The CPCN is issued, subject to R 334 obtaining all other licenses, permits and agency approvals necessary for constructing and operating the grid system. 3. R 334 is directed to provide the Commission with an annual report which sets out the system facilities installed during the year, the capital cost of these works and the customers that were added during the year. The report should also provide a forecast of these matters for the subsequent year, and should be filed within 60 days of the end of the year. That is, a report on activities in 1997 and a forecast for 1998 is due by March 1, 1998. The reporting format for all filings required by this Order are to be established in consultation with Commission staff. DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 24thÊday of December, 1997. BY ORDER Original signed by: Kenneth L. Hall Commissioner Attachment Orders/R 334 BigWhiteCPCN
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