IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application by Stargas Utilities Ltd.
For Approval of Supply Contracts with Shell Energy North America (Canada) Inc. and
Independent Energy Consultants (BC) Ltd. and
to Alter the Commodity Component of Rates
BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner
N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner October 17, 2013
B.A. Magnan, Commissioner
D.M. Morton, Commissioner
R.D. Revel, Commissioner
C. van Wermeskerken, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. The British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) by Order C-4-00 approved a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for Stargas Utility Ltd. (Stargas) to operate a natural gas distribution system at the resort community of Silver Star;
B. On September 19, 2013, Stargas submitted an application to the Commission for approval of supply contracts with Shell Energy North America (Canada) Inc. (Shell) and Independent Energy Consultants (BC) Ltd. (Independent) (Original Application);
C. On October 1, 2013, the Commission issued Information Request No. 1 in regard to the Original Application;
D. On October 8, 2013, Stargas filed a revised application (Revised Application) to replace the Original Application in its entirety and requested that the gas supply agreements with Shell and Independent and the details of the terms of these agreements be held confidential as they are commercially sensitive;
E. Stargas requests that the subject gas supply agreements with Shell and Independent, the Exhibit B-3 to the Revised Application, the details on page 2 of Attachment B-1, and the confidential responses to the Commission Information Request be held confidential as the information is commercially sensitive;
F. The Commission has considered the Revised Application and finds the gas supply agreements to be in the public interest.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 71 of the Utilities Commission Act:
1. The Commission accepts for filing the following agreements:
a. The Base Contract for Sale and Purchase of Natural Gas between Stargas and Shell Energy North America (Canada) Inc. (Shell) dated September 1, 2013 (Base Contract);
b. The Transaction Confirmation between Stargas and Shell dated October 3, 2013 (2013-2014 Transaction Confirmation);
c. The “Schedule “A” – Agency Authority and Appointment” between Stargas and Independent Energy Consultants (BC) Ltd. (Independent) executed on September 20, 2013 (Agency Appointment); and
d. The Letter Agreement regarding “Agency Authority - Physical Contracts” between Shell, Independent and Stargas executed on September 20, 2013 (Agency Letter Agreement).
2. The Commission will hold confidential the Base Contract, the 2013-2014 Transaction Confirmation, the Agency Appointment, the Agency Letter Agreement, the Exhibit B-3 to the Revised Application, the details on page 2 of Attachment B-1, and the confidential responses to the Commission Information Request.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 18th day of October 2013.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D.M. Morton
Commissioner