Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

An Application for Participant Assistance/Cost Award

regarding the FortisBC Energy Inc. (formerly Terasen Gas Inc.)

Fort Nelson Service Area

Application for Approval to Amend its Schedule of Rates

BEFORE:               L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner

                                D.A. Cote, Commissioner

                                D. Morton, Commissioner                                            March 3, 2011

                                N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner

                                C.A. Brown, Commissioner

O R D E R

WHEREAS:

A.      On September 8, 2010, FortisBC Energy Inc.-Fort Nelson Service Area (formerly Terasen Gas Inc.) (TG Fort Nelson) submitted its 2011 Revenue Requirements Application to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) seeking approval to recover a revenue deficiency of $295 thousand through a permanent increase in its delivery rates, and to decrease the RSAM rate rider, effective January 1, 2011, from $0.037/GJ by $0.004/GJ for a total rate rider of $0.033/GJ effective January 1, 2011 (Application);

B.      On September 30, 2010, the Commission issued Order G-149-10 establishing a Written Public Hearing Process and a Regulatory Timetable for review of the Application;

C.      By Order G-27-11 dated February 24, 2011, the Commission issued its Reasons for Decision approving the Application;

D.      On February 4, 2011, British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO) applied for a Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) with respect to its participation in the Application’s review;

E.       By letter dated February 21, 2011, TG Fort Nelson advised the Commission that it has no objection to the PACA application nor the amount sought therein;

F.       The Commission has reviewed the PACA application for cost award with regard to the criteria and rates as set out in Order G-72-07 and has concluded that the PACA application from BCOAPO is reasonable and should be approved.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:

1.       Pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission approves a cost award for BCOAPO in the amount of $3,869.60 for its participation in the proceeding.

2.       TG Fort Nelson is directed to reimburse the participant for the awarded amount in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this                3^rd             day of March 2011.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                                Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                D. A. Cote

                                                                                                                                Commissioner