SIXTH FLOOR, 900 HOWE STREET, BOX 250 VANCOUVER, B.C. V6Z 2N3 CANADA web site: http://www.bcuc.com IN THE MATTER OF the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473 and FortisBC Inc. (formerly known as Aquila Networks Canada (British Columbia) Ltd.) An Application to Replace Residential Rate Discount BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner K.L. Hall, Commissioner O R D E R WHEREAS: A. On May 21, 2004, Aquila Networks Canada (British Columbia) Ltd. (“Aquila”) applied to the Commission for approval to amend its Electric Tariff, Terms and Conditions of Service, to replace the 10 percent discount given to residential customers for prompt payment with a 1.5 percent late payment charge; and B. On June 1, 2004 Aquila changed its name to FortisBC Inc. (“FortisBC”); and C. FortisBC states that the proposed rate will be compliant with all applicable laws and more consistent with its other rate categories and sound public utility practice; and D. Recent judicial decisions suggest that the appropriateness of certain late payment arrangements may be challenged; and E. The impact of the change is revenue-neutral and the use of a 1.5 percent late payment charge on overdue accounts is a standard practice of other utilities under Commission jurisdiction; and F. The Commission requires that a regulatory process to deal with the Application be established. NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows: 1. A written public hearing process will be undertaken to review the FortisBC Application. Regulatory Timetable Registration as an Intervenor Information Requests to FortisBC Information Responses by FortisBC Intervenor Written Submissions FortisBC Written Reply BRITISH COL UMBIA UTILITIES COM MISSION ORDER NUMBER G -53-04 TELEPHONE: (604) 660-4700 BC TOLL FREE: 1-800-663-1385 FACSIMILE: (604) 660-1102 ) ) June 7, 2004 June 18, 2004 June 30, 2004 July 9, 2004 July 23, 2004 July 30, 2004 . . ./2
2 2. FortisBC is to publish, as soon as possible, in display-ad format, the Notice of Written Hearing, attached as Appendix A to the Order, in such appropriate local news publications in the service area so as to properly provide adequate notice to customers. 3. The Application and supporting material will be made available for inspection at public libraries in Castlegar, Creston, Grand Forks, Kelowna, Oliver, Penticton and Trail, at the Head Office of FortisBC at 1290 Esplanade, Trail, B.C. V1R 4L4 and at the British Columbia Utilities Commission, Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2N3. 4. Intervenors and Interested Parties should inform the Commission and FortisBC, in writing, by June 18, 2004 of their intention to intervene and/or participate actively in the public process. DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 7 Attachment Order/Replace Resdntl Prompt Pymt Discount BRITISH COLUMBIA UTILITIES COMMISSION ORDER NUMBER G-53-04 th day of June 2004. BY ORDER Original signed by: L.F. Kelsey Commissioner
APPENDIX A to Order No. G-53-04 Page 1 of 2 SIXTH FLOOR, 900 HOWE STREET, BOX 250 TELEPHONE: (604) 660-4700 VANCOUVER, B.C. V6Z 2N3 CANADA BC TOLL FREE: 1-800-663-1385 web site: http://www.bcuc.com FACSIMILE: (604) 660-1102 FORTISBC INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS AQUILA NETWORKS CANADA (BRITISH COLUMBIA) LTD.) Application for Approval to Replace Residential Rate Discount NOTICE OF WRITTEN HEARING THE APPLICATION On May 21, 2004, Aquila Networks Canada (British Columbia) Ltd. (“Aquila”) applied to the Commission for approval to amend its Electric Tariff, Residential Rate Schedules, to replace the 10 percent discount given to residential customers for prompt payment with a 1.5 percent late payment charge. On June 1, 2004 Aquila changed its name to FortisBC Inc. The current bi-monthly customer charge of $21.19, before the 10 percent discount, would be reduced to $19.35 and the current energy rate of 6.659 cents per kW.h would be reduced to 6.08 cents per kW.h. Both of these charges are proposed to be subject to a late payment charge of 1.5 percent each month if the bill is not paid by the stated due date. THE REGULATORY PROCESS The Commission has established a regulatory process with the following timetable: Registration as an Intervenor June 18, 2004 Information Requests to FortisBC June 30, 2004 Information Responses by FortisBC July 9, 2004 Intervenor Written Submissions July 23, 2004 FortisBC Written Reply July 30, 2004 PUBLIC INSPECTION OF THE APPLICATION The Application and supporting material will be made available for inspection at public Libraries in Castlegar, Creston, Grand Forks, Kelowna, Oliver, Penticton and Trail, at the Head Office of FortisBC at 1290 Esplanade, Trail, B.C. V1R 4L4 and at the British Columbia Utilities Commission, Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2N3 REGISTERING TO PARTICIPATE Persons who are interested in the Application and who intend to participate in the public review process should register as an intervenor with the Commission, in writing, by June 18, 2004 and outline the nature of their interest. Intervenors will receive copies of the Application, all correspondence and filed documentation. . . ./2
APPENDIX A to Order No. G-53-04 Page 2 of 2 Persons not expecting to actively participate in the process, but who have an interest in the Application must register by June 18, 2004. Interested parties will receive a copy of the Application, on request, and will receive copies of all Orders issued. FURTHER INFORMATION If you would like to participate but are uncertain how to proceed, please contact Mr. Robert J. Pellatt, Commission Secretary or Mr. Barry McKinlay, Manager, Rates and Finance, as follows: Telephone: (604) 660-4700 B.C. Toll Free: 1-800-663-1385 Facsimile: (604) 660-1102 E-mail: commission.secretary@bcuc.com
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