Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

Application for Participant Assistance / Cost Award

for the FortisBC Energy Inc. Muskwa River Crossing CPCN Proceeding

BEFORE:               N.E. MacMurchy, Panel Chair/Commissioner

                                R.A. Revel, Commissioner                                            March 31, 2014

                                C. Brown, Commissioner

O R D E R

WHEREAS:

A.      On November 29, 2013, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) submitted an Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) under sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) to construct and operate a pipeline crossing of the Muskwa River for the Fort Nelson Service Area (the Application).  FEI also sought approval for deferral treatment of the Application and project development costs under sections 59 to 61 of the UCA;

B.      On December 4, 2013, by Commission Order G-207-13, a public hearing process was established to hear the Application along with Intervener input and Commission review;

C.      On December 18, 2013, the British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre (BCPIAC) representing the British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization (BCPSO et al.) as an Intervener in the proceeding, submitted a Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) application and budget for its participation in the proceeding;

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

E.       On February 18, 2014, BCPSO et al. submitted its final application and costs for PACA funding to the Commission;

F.       By letter dated March 13, 2014, FEI stated that “so long as the Commission has no concerns with the time identified or the amount applied for, FEI has no comments on the amount submitted”; and

G.     Pursuant to the PACA Guidelines, the Commission Panel determines the entitlement to a full or partial award taking into account the criteria in the Guidelines, the information provided by the participant and variances in estimates provided and is satisfied that the BCPSO et al. should receive a Participant Assistance Cost Award to recover costs for its contribution to the proceeding.

NOW THEREFORE the British Columbia Utilities Commission orders as follows:

1.       Pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission awards funds in the following amounts to the British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization for their participation in this proceeding:

2.       FortisBC Energy Inc. is directed to reimburse BC Public Interest Advocacy Centre on behalf of BCPSO et al. for the amounts that have been awarded in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this             31st               day of March, 2014.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                                Original Signed By:

                                                                                                                                N.E. MacMurchy

                                                                                                                                Commissioner