IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application by FortisBC Inc.
for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project
Citizens
for Safe Technology Society Application for
Participant Assistance/Cost Award Application Leave Request
BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner
D.M. Morton, Commissioner July 30, 2013
N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On July 26, 2012, FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) pursuant to sections 45, 46 and 56 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), for the approval of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project (Project);
B. By Order G-105-12, dated August 2, 2012, the Commission established a Preliminary Regulatory Timetable, subsequently amended by Order G-177-12 and Order G-17-13 to review the Project (AMI Proceeding);
C. Citizens for Safe Technology Society (CSTS) registered as an Intervener in the AMI Proceeding;
D. Appendix A to Commission Order G-72-07 establishes Guidelines for Participant Assistance/Cost Awards (PACA), including eligibility, application process, interim awards and eligible costs and rates. The Guidelines, among other things, state that an application for a cost award must be made by filing a written application with the Commission Panel within thirty days following the last day of a proceeding (or such time as the Commission Panel directs) setting out the reason for such an award. The “last day of the proceeding” will normally be the last day of the argument phase of the proceeding, which may be either the day reply argument is filed or the day of the oral phase of argument;
E. The last day of argument for the AMI Proceeding was May 30, 2013, coincident with FortisBC’s Reply Argument;
F. On July 29, 2013, CSTS filed a letter with the Commission seeking leave to file its PACA Application beyond the 30 days specified in the PACA Guidelines stating it misunderstood the timing requirements and has a significant financial liability with respect to participation in the Proceeding. CSTS stated, with leave, it would be able to file its PACA Application by Wednesday, July 31, 2013;
G. The Commission Panel has considered the request and determines that leave should be granted.
NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders that the PACA Applications filing deadline for the FortisBC Inc. Advanced Metering Infrastructure Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Proceeding be extended to Thursday, August 1, 2013.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 30th day of July 2013.
BY ORDER
Original signed by
L.F. Kelsey
Commissioner