B R IT IS H C O LU M B I A U T I L IT IE S C O M M IS S I ON O R D E R N U M B ER G-31-98 SIXTH FLOOR, 900 HOWE STREET, BOX 250 a 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 BC Gas Utility Ltd. for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity regarding its Southern Crossing Pipeline Project BEFORE: L.R Barr, Deputy Chair ) K.L. Hall, Commissioner ) April 3, 1998 F.C. Leighton, Commissioner ) O R D E R WHEREAS: A. On May 30, 1997 BC Gas Utility Ltd. ("BC Gas") applied to the Commission, pursuant to SectionÊ45 of the Utilities Commission Act ("the Act"), for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity ("CPCN") to expand its existing Interior Transmission System pipeline a distance of approximately 310Êkm (193Êmiles), with a 610Êmm, (24-inch) pipeline, from Yahk to Oliver, B.C. The CPCN will allow the Utility to construct and operate certain loop and compression facilities which comprise the Southern Crossing Pipeline ("SCP") Project. The SCP Project was previously referred to in the SCP Project Engineering Report and the BCÊGas 1997 Integrated Resource Plan update that were filed with the Commission on February 7, and May 5, 1997. These filings were incorporated as appendices to the CPCN application; and B. On JuneÊ26, 1997 the Commission held a pre-hearing conference on the BCÊGas SCP Application that was set down by Order No.ÊG-63-97. The pre-hearing conference outlined a draft regulatory agenda and timetable to hear the SCP Application. The parties in attendance at the pre-hearing conference reached consensus on a final Regulatory Agenda; and C. On JuneÊ27, 1997, by Order No.ÊG-75-97, the Commission set down the BCÊGas SCP CPCN Application for review by way of a public hearing, and established a Regulatory Agenda Timetable for the public hearing; and D. Commission Order No.ÊG-75-97 also stated that, on the basis of commitments of parties at the pre-hearing conference, the Commission expected proponents of competing proposals to file detailed evidence and provide witness panels to testify at the public hearing; and E. On AugustÊ15, 1997, the proponents of three other pipeline projects and of four Liquefied Natural Gas ("LNG") facilities, filed evidence regarding their respective proposals; and F. Westcoast Gas Service Inc. ("WGSI"), in submitting its AugustÊ15, 1997 proposal for an LNG facility, included with it an application to the Commission under SectionÊ88(3) for an exemption from the provisions of the Act ; and .../2
B R I T IS H C O LU M B I A U T IL I T I E S C O M M I S S I ON O R D E R N U M B ER G-31-98 2 G. British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority ("B.C.ÊHydro") appeared at the hearing and filed evidence regarding the potential for additional thermal gas-fired generation in British Columbia and the potential for peak shaving arrangements with BCÊGas from such generation facilities; and H. The public hearing commenced on OctoberÊ14, 1997 and the evidentiary portion of the hearing was completed on NovemberÊ25, 1997 and written argument was completed on DecemberÊ19, 1997; and I During the hearing, in early November, 1997, Town Hall meetings took place in Fort St.ÊJohn, Castlegar and Oliver, B.C.; and J. On January 29, 1998, the Commission issued Reasons for Decision allowing WGSI to file rebuttal argument in response to certain arguments of the Consumers' Association of Canada (B.C. Branch) et al.; and K. The Commission has considered the Application, the written evidence filed prior to the hearing, the evidence presented at the hearing, and the written arguments that were filed after the hearing. NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows: 1. The MayÊ30, 1997 Application by BCÊGas for a CPCN for the Southern Crossing Pipeline Project is denied. 2. The application by WGSI for an exemption under the Act for its proposed LNG project is denied. 3. BCÊGas is to file a progress report by JulyÊ3, 1998 and a final report by OctoberÊ2, 1998, on the feasibility of obtaining peak shaving from B.C.ÊHydro and its electricity suppliers. DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this ÊÊÊÊÊ3rdÊÊÊÊÊÊday of April, 1998. BY ORDER Original Signed by: Lorna R. Barr Deputy Chair and Chair of the Division ORDERS/BCG-SCP Decision
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