BRITISH COL UMBIA UTILITIES COM MISSION ORDER NUMBER G -56-04 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 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.) Application to Replace Residential Discount BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner ) K.L. Hall, Commissioner ) June 11, 2004 O R D E R WHEREAS: A. On May 21, 2004, FortisBC Inc. (“FortisBC”) [formerly known as Aquila Networks Canada (British Columbia) Ltd.] 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. 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 C. Recent judicial decisions suggest that the appropriateness of certain late payment arrangements may be challenged; and D. 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 E. Commission Order No. G-53-04 established a regulatory process to deal with the Application; and F. On June 11, 2004, FortisBC requested that the Commission adjust the timetable to enable it to more fully prepare employees for the anticipated customer interaction and minimize any disruptions that may result. NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows: 1. A written public hearing process will be undertaken to review the Application. . . ./2
2 2. The regulatory timetable is amended as follows: Regulatory Timetable Registration as an Intervenor Information Requests to FortisBC Information Responses by FortisBC Intervenor Written Submissions FortisBC Written Reply 3. FortisBC is to publish, as soon as possible, in display-ad format, the Notice of Written Hearing Process, attached as Appendix A to this Order, in such appropriate local news publications in the service area so as to properly provide adequate notice to customers. 4. 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. 5. Intervenors and Interested Parties should inform the Commission, in writing, by July 2, 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 11 Attachment Order/FortisBC_Amend Resdntl Prompt Pymt Discount BRITISH COLUMBIA UTILITIES COMMISSION ORDER NUMBER G-56-04 July 2, 2004 July 14, 2004 July 23, 2004 August 6, 2004 August 13, 2004 th day of June 2004. BY ORDER Original signed by: L.F. Kelsey Commissioner
APPENDIX A to Order No. G-56-04 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 Discount NOTICE OF WRITTEN HEARING THE APPLICATION On May 21, 2004, FortisBC Inc. (“FortisBC”) [formerly known as Aquila Networks Canada (British Columbia) Ltd.] 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. The current bi-monthly customer charge of $21.19 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 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 July 2, 2004 Information Requests to FortisBC July 14, 2004 Information Responses by FortisBC July 23, 2004 Intervenor Written Submissions August 6, 2004 FortisBC Written Reply August 13, 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 July 2, 2004 and outline the nature of their interest. Intervenors will receive copies of the Application, all correspondence and filed documentation. Persons not expecting to actively participate in the process, but who have an interest in the Application must register by July 2, 2004. Interested parties will receive a copy of the Application, on request, and will receive copies of all Orders issued. . . ./2
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: Facsimile: (604) 660-1102 E-mail: APPENDIX A to Order No. G-56-04 Page 2 of 2 1-800-663-1385 commission.secretary@bcuc.com
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