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. Capital Expenditure Schedule, Rate Design and Rates

for the Tsawwassen Springs Development Proceeding

BEFORE:               D.M. Morton, Panel Chair/Commissioner

                                R.D. Revel, Commissioner                                                            July 20, 2012

O R D E R

WHEREAS:

A.      On March 2, 2012, FortisBC Energy Inc (FEI) submitted an application for approval of a Capital Expenditure Schedule and Rate Design and Rates Established in an Operating and Maintenance Agreement between FEI and the Strata Corporation of Tsawwassen Springs Development to Provide Thermal Energy Services (the Application);

B.      On March 16, 2012 by Commission Order G-33-12 a written hearing process was established to hear the Application along with Intervener input and Commission review;

C.      On April 3, 2012 the British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA) representing itself and the Sierra Club of B.C. submitted a Participant Assistance / Cost Award (PACA) application and budget for its participation in the proceeding;

D.      The Commercial Energy Consumers Association (CEC) applied for and was granted Late Intervener status by the Commission;

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

F.       On June 15, 2012, BCSEA submitted its final application and costs for PACA funding to the Commission;

G.     On June 27, 2012  the Commercial Energy Consumers Association submitted its final application and costs for PACA funding to the Commission;

H.      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 BCSEA and CEC should receive a PACA to recover its costs for contributions to the proceeding;

I.        By letter dated July 18, 2012, FEI stated that so long as the Commission has no concerns, FEI has no comments on the amounts submitted.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:

1.       Pursuant to section 118 (1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission awards funds in the following amounts to BCSEA and CEC for their participation in the FEI - Tsawwassen Springs proceeding:

2.       FEI is directed to reimburse BCSEA and CEC in a timely manner the amounts that have been awarded.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this        24^th                   day of July 2012.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                                Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                D.M. Morton

                                                                                                                                Commissioner