IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application for Participant Assistance/Cost Award
in the Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. Application
for Approval of the Sale of its 50 Percent Interest in the
Pacific Trail Pipelines Limited Partnership
BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner
D.A. Cote, Commissioner March 22, 2013
D.M. Morton, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On February 15, 2011, Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for approval under section 52 of the Utilities Commission Act to dispose of its 50 percent interest in Pacific Trail Pipelines Limited Partnership (PTP). PNG also requests approval of the Application by February 28, 2011 (the Application);
B. PNG formed PTP with Galveston LNG Inc. (Galveston) in 2006 in order to pursue the development of the proposed 463 kilometer, natural gas pipeline from Kitimat, BC to Summit Lake, BC (the KSL Pipeline). PNG and Galveston were 50/50 equal partners;
C. In early 2010, Galveston sold 51 percent of its interest in the Kitimat LNG export terminal and 25.5 percent of its 50 percent interest in PTP to Apache Canada Ltd. (Apache Canada). Later in 2010 EOG Resources Canada Inc. (EOG Canada) purchased Galveston, thereby obtaining a 24.5 percent interest in PTP. In late 2010, Apache Canada and EOG Canada jointly approached PNG to purchase the remaining 50 percent interest in PTP;
D. Commission Order G-19-11 established a written public hearing and regulatory timetable for the review of the Application;
E. On February 25, 2011, the Commission issued Order G-35-11 approving the sale by PNG of its 50 percent interest in PTP;
F. On March 7, 2012, the British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre, on behalf of its client the British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors Organization (BCPSO), filed an application for a Participant Assistance/Cost Award with respect to its participation in the PNG Application;
G. In an email dated March 13, 2012, PNG advised the Commission that it is of the view that the BCPSO PACA application is reasonable;
H. The Commission has reviewed the PACA application with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines established in Commission Order G-72-07 together with the comments from PNG and concluded that PACA funding should be awarded to BCPSO in the amount set out in the application.
NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:
1. Pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission awards funds in the amount of $2,058.00 to BCPSO with respect to its participation in the review of PNG Application.
2. PNG is directed to reimburse BCPSO for the amount that has been awarded in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 22nd day of March 2013.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
L.F. Kelsey
Commissioner