IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application by Sun Peaks Utilities Co., Ltd. (SPUCL)
For Approval of a Change to Customer Rates
BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner
N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner December 1, 2011
R.D. Revel, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. By Order G-104-11 dated June 9, 2011, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (the Commission) approved the propane commodity rate increase for the Sun Peaks Utilities Co. Ltd. service area (SPUCL) effective June 1, 2011;
B. Pursuant to Order G-104-11 SPUCL filed with the Commission a report on the Gas Cost Recovery Account balances and forecast propane costs for the following 12 months on November 10, 2011;
C. Included in the November 10, 2011 filing, SPUCL applied for a Gas Commodity Increase of $2.74 per gigajoule for all Rate Groups (Residential, Small Commercial and Large Commercial customers) to be effective December 1, 2011, as a result of current and forecast propane commodity costs and to maintain the current Gas Cost Reconciliation Account (GCRA) at current levels;
D. The proposed change will increase the annual bill for a typical customer by approximately 7.9% for a townhouse, 10.8% for a detached house, 11.5% for a small commercial, and 11.6% for a large commercial hotel;
E. The Commission has considered the proposed change to propane charges, and finds that the change to customer rates is justified.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 61(4) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:
1. The Commission approves the increase in the SPUCL Gas Commodity Charge - Propane from $18.51/GJ to $21.25/GJ, effective December 1, 2011.
2. SPUCL is to inform its customers of the approved rates in a timely fashion, by way of a customer notice.
3. By May 16, 2012, SPUCL is directed to file with the Commission a report on the Gas Cost Recovery Account balances, updated forecast propane costs for the following 12 months and, if necessary, proposed changes to commodity rates to be effective June 1, 2012.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, In the Province of British Columbia, this First day of December 2011.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
L.F. Kelsey
Commissioner