LETTER NO. L-46-01 ROBERT J. PELLATT SIXTH FLOOR, 900 HOWE STREET, BOX 250 COMMISSION SECRETARY VANCOUVER, B.C. CANADA V6Z 2N3 Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com TELEPHONE: (604) 660-4700 web site: http://www.bcuc.com BC TOLL FREE: 1-800-663-1385 FACSIMILE: (604) 660-1102 Log No. 22 November 29, 2001 Mr. Michael J. Wheatley 239 Richmond Avenue Victoria, B.C. V8S 3X9 Dear Mr. Wheatley: Re: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority ______Net Metering for Residential Customers______ The Commission has received and reviewed B.C. Hydro’s November 22, 2001 letter in response to our inquiry on the provision of net metering. In its letter, B.C. Hydro has not indicated any current corporate policy or operational constraints on net metering. It has referred to the energy policy framework now being developed by the provincial government’s Energy Policy Development Task Force and pointed out that net metering is being considered along with an array of energy policy issues. B.C. Hydro has asked the Commission to defer its inquiries until February 28, 2002. At present, UtiliCorp Networks Canada British Columbia Ltd. (formerly West Kootenay Power Ltd.) is conducting a trial Load Shifting Program. This program uses timing devices to achieve load shifting results and participants are eligible for lower time of use (TOU) rates but must share a percentage of their rate savings for a specified number of years to help offset the utility’s program costs. This program will be subject to review after the trial ends on December 31, 2001 and the results of the evaluation may assist the Commission in assessing interest in other programs such as net metering. In light of the imminent policy directions from the provincial government, the generally low level of interest in net metering among residential ratepayers, and the upcoming evaluation on Load Shifting Program at UtiliCorp, the Commission has decided to defer consideration of the net metering issue until after February 28, 2002 when the energy policy is scheduled for release. You may wish to reapply for a change to B.C. Hydro’s standard metering practices after the release of the comprehensive energy policy for British Columbia. Yours truly, Original signed by: Robert J. Pellatt cms cc: Mr. Ray Aldeguer Senior Vice President Legal and Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority BCH/Cor/NetMetering-Wheatley, MJ
You are being directed to the most recent version of the statute which may not be the version considered at the time of the judgment.