IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
Applications for Participant Assistance/Cost Awards
In an Application by British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
To Permanently Cease Operations at the Heber Diversion Dam
BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner April 24, 2012
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On January 13, 2012, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application (the Application) with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (the Commission) under section 41 of the Utilities Commission Act (the Act), for permission to permanently cease operation of the Heber Diversion Dam, Pipeline and In-stream structures (Heber Diversion), located on Central Vancouver Island;
B. On January 23, 2012, the Commission issued Order G-6-12 which established the Notice of the Application and the Regulatory Timetable for a Written Public Hearing process with one round of information requests to review the Application under section 41 of the Act;
C. By Order G-42-12 dated April 5, 2012, the Commission granted BC Hydro permission to permanently cease operation of the Heber Diversion, located on Central Vancouver Island; and determined that the proposed expenditures as outlined in the Application were cost effective and in the public interest;
D. By letter dated April 5, 2012, the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO) applied for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) funding for its participation in the proceeding, in the amount of $3,584.00;
E. By letter dated April 20, 2012, BC Hydro commented that it believes the BCOAPO’s funding request to be reasonable and consistent with the Commission’s funding guidelines and supports the BCOAPO’s PACA funding request in its entirety;
F. The Commission has reviewed the PACA application with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines in Commission Order No. G-72-07 and has concluded that a cost award should be approved for the Participant in the proceeding.
NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:
1. Pursuant to Section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission awards funds to the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization in the amount of $3,584.00 for its participation in the proceeding.
2. BC Hydro is directed to reimburse the above-noted Participant for the amount awarded in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 17th day of May 2012.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
L.F. Kelsey
Commissioner