Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

an Application by FortisBC Inc.

for Approval of 2012–2013 Revenue Requirements and

Review of 2012 Integrated System Plan

BEFORE:               D.A. Cote, Commissioner

                                A.A. Rhodes, Commissioner                                        December 15, 2011
                                N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On June 30, 2011, FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC or the Company) filed an application for approval of its 2012–2013 Revenue Requirements and the review of its 2012 Integrated System Plan (collectively referred to as the Application).  Among other things, FortisBC sought approval of interim and permanent rate increases of 4.0 percent effective January 1, 2012, and a permanent rate increase of 6.9 percent effective January 1, 2013.  The Application also sought approval of an unchanged rate of return of 9.9 percent (which is the based on the benchmark utility’s allowed return and a 40 basis point risk premium) and a capital structure of 60 percent debt and 40 percent equity;

B.      The Company filed an evidentiary update to the Application on November 4, 2011 which reduced the rate increase sought to 1.5 percent in 2012 and 6.5 percent in 2013;

C.      In accordance with Order G‐167‐11, a Procedural Conference was held in Kelowna on November 22, 2011;

D.      Commission Order G-199-11, issued on November 30, 2011, established an amended regulatory timetable to include dates for an oral public hearing and subsequent submissions;

E.       On December 7, 2011, FortisBC filed a request seeking a change in the regulatory timetable due to the timing and availability of its resources.  FortisBC has canvassed the registered interveners in this proceeding regarding the proposed dates and no concerns have been identified;

F.       The Commission Panel has determined that an amendment to the timetable is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission Panel orders the regulatory timetable to be amended as follows:

The Oral Public Hearing to review the Application is to be held at:

Holiday Inn Express

2429 N. Highway 97

Kelowna, BC

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this    15^th        day of December 2011.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

D.A. Cote

Commissioner