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. Kingsvale-Oliver Reinforcement Project Stage 2a

Project Development Costs and Accounting Treatment Proceeding

BEFORE:               N.E. MacMurchy, Panel Chair/Commissioner

                                D.M. Morton, Commissioner                                      August 20, 2012

O R D E R

WHEREAS:

A.      On March 30, 2012, FortisBC Energy Inc (FEI) submitted a Comprehensive Update Report Stage 1 (Report) and applied for approval of further funding of $850,000 for Stage 2a feasibility assessment activities and to continue to charge these project development costs to the SCP Mitigation deferral account (Application);

B.      On May 25, 2012 by Commission Order G-64-12, a written hearing process was established to hear the Application along with Intervener input and Commission review;

C.      On June 7, 2012, the British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization (BCPSO) representing itself and its constituent groups submitted a Participant Assistance / Cost Award (PACA) application and budget for its participation in the proceeding;

D.      On June 7, 2012, the Commercial Energy Consumers Association (CEC) submitted a Participant Assistance / Cost Award (PACA) application and budget for its participation in the proceeding;

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

F.       On July 26, 2012, BCPSO submitted its final application and costs for PACA funding to the Commission;

G.     On August 7, 2012, the Commercial Energy Consumers Association (CEC) 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.  The Panel is satisfied that the BCPSO and CEC should receive a Participant Assistance Cost Award to recover costs related to this proceeding;

I.        By letter dated August 13, 2012, FEI stated it has reviewed the PACA applications and 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 BCPSO and CEC for their participation in the FEI-Kingsvale-Oliver Reinforcement Project Stage 2a Funding proceeding:

2.       FEI is directed to reimburse BCPSO 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           20^th           day of August 2012.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                                Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                D.M. Morton

                                                                                                                                Commissioner