Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

Applications for Participant Assistance/Cost Awards

regarding an Application by FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc.

(formerly Terasen Gas (Vancouver Island) Inc.)

for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

for the Victoria Regional Operations Centre

BEFORE:               M.R. Harle, Commissioner/Panel Chair

                                A.W.K Anderson, Commissioner                               March 23, 2011

                                N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On October 13, 2010, FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc. (FEVI) (formerly Terasen Gas (Vancouver Island) Inc.), submitted an application (Application) to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission), pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act, for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to acquire property that consists of approximately 3.6 acres of freehold land located at 1017 – 1027 Langford Parkway, Langford, BC (Langford Property) and construct a new regional facility on the site to be acquired (Regional Facility);

B.      By Order C-1-11 dated January 24, 2011, the Commission granted FEVI a CPCN for the purchase of the Langford Property and directed FEVI to file a Report regarding staffing, space and land requirements for the Regional Facility;

C.      On January 11, 2011, the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO) submitted a Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) application for its participation in the proceeding;

D.      On February 2, 2011, the Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia (CEC) submitted a PACA application for its participation in the proceeding;

E.       By letter dated February 21, 2011, FEVI stated that it had reviewed the PACA applications, that it was of the view that the applications are not unreasonable, and that it had no objection to the amounts sought therein;

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

G.     The Commission Panel has reviewed the PACA applications and comments from FEVI with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines, and has concluded that PACA funding should be awarded to BCOAPO and CEC in the amounts set out in their applications.

NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act the Commission orders as follows:

1.       The Commission awards funds in the following amounts to the participants for their participation in the proceeding to examine the Application:

2.       FEVI is directed to reimburse BCOAPO and CEC for the amounts that have been awarded in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, In the Province of British Columbia, this           23^rd                   day of March 2011.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                            Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                M.R. Harle

                                                                                                                                Commissioner and Panel Chair