Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473

and

                                                                   Applications for Participant Assistance/Cost Award

In the Application by British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

for the Mica Gas Insulated Switchgear Project

BEFORE:                 R.J. Milbourne, Panel Chair/Commissioner                     May 26, 2010

                                P.E. Vivian, Commissioner                                                  

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.    On August 5, 2009, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) applied (the Application) for acceptance by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (the Commission) that the expenditures in a capital expenditure schedule filed pursuant to section 44.2(1)(b) of the Utilities Commission Act (the Act) in respect of the Mica Gas Insulated Switchgear Project (Mica GIS Project) are in the public interest; and

B.     By Order G-38-10 and Decision dated March 16, 2010, the Commission declined to accept the capital expenditure schedule for the Mica GIS Project; and

C.     By letter dated March 10, 2010, the Sexqéltkemc (Lakes Division) of the Secwepemc Nation (Sexqéltkemc) applied for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) funding for their participation in the proceeding; and

D.    By Order F-12-10 dated April 21, 2010, the Commission approved PACA funding for the British Columbia Old Age Pensions’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO), Independent Power Producers of British Columbia (IPPBC), and Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia (CEC) for their participation in the proceeding; and

E.     By letter dated May 4, 2010 to the Commission, BC Hydro commented that the Sexqéltkemc PACA funding request is reasonable; and

F.     Commission Order G-72-07 established Guidelines for PACA applications; and

G.    The Commission has reviewed the Sexqéltkemc PACA application with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines in Commission Order G-72-07 and has concluded that, after adjusting the amount for legal counsel to the rate of $1,800 per eight hour day set out in the Guidelines, PACA funding for the Sexqéltkemc should be approved.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:

1.         Pursuant to section 118(1) of the Act, the Commission awards funds to the following for their participation in the proceeding:

2.      BC Hydro is directed to reimburse the above-noted Participant for the Award amount in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this                  26^th                     day of May 2010.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                                  Original signed by:

        R.J. Milbourne

                                                                                                                                Panel Chair/Commissioner