IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application by Terasen Gas (Whistler) Inc.
Regarding Gas Cost Recovery Charge and Rate Rider A effective January 1, 2011
BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner
D.A. Cote, Commissioner December 9, 2010
N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner
D. Morton, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. By Order G-102-10 dated June 10, 2010, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) approved the Terasen Gas (Whistler) Inc. (TGW) interim Gas Cost Recovery Charge of $6.342/GJ and the Rate Rider A rate of $1.468/GJ refund amount, effective July 1, 2010;
B. By Order G-138-10 dated September 1, 2010, the Commission approved, on a continued interim basis and effective January 1, 2011, a decrease in the TGW delivery charge. The approved interim Delivery Charge is $10.440/GJ effective January 1, 2011;
C. On December 3, 2010, TGW filed its 2010 Fourth Quarter Gas Cost Report on the Gas Cost Reconciliation Account (GCRA) balance and gas commodity recovery charges for the Whistler service area effective January 1, 2011, that were based on the five-day average forward prices ending November 23, 2010 (2010 Fourth Quarter Report);
D. The 2010 Fourth Quarter Report requested Commission approval of the following items related to interim rates effective January 1, 2011:
a) Approval for a $0.519/GJ decrease in the Gas Cost Recovery Charge, to a rate of $5.823/GJ, effective January 1, 2011;
b) Approval for a $0.520/GJ increase in Rate Rider A, to a rate of 0.948/GJ refund amount, effective January 1, 2011;
E. The combined effect of the previously approved delivery rate changes effective January 1, 2011, and the rate changes effective January 1, 2011 requested within the 2010 Fourth Quarter Report will decrease the unit rate for a residential customer in the Whistler service area by $0.873/GJ, and will decrease the annual bill of a typical residential customer with an average annual consumption of 90 GJ by approximately $79 or 5.1 percent;
F. The Commission has determined that the requested changes, as outlined in the 2010 Fourth Quarter Report, should be approved.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 61(4) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:
1. The Commission approves, as requested within the 2010 Fourth Quarter Report, the following changes to TGW interim rates:
a) A $0.519/GJ decrease in the Gas Cost Recovery Charge, to a rate of $5.823/GJ, effective January 1, 2011; and
b) Reset Rate Rider A to a rate of $0.948/GJ refund amount, effective January 1, 2011.
2. TGW is to provide a descriptive explanation of the final rates by way of a bill insert or customer notice to all affected customers, to be submitted to the Commission in draft prior to its release.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 10th day of December 2010.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D.A. Cote
Commissioner