IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application by British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Regarding Electric Tariff Amendments for the Power Smart Home Loan Pilot Program
BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner
N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner August 1, 2013
B.A. Magnan, Commissioner
D.M. Morton, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. The Clean Energy Act, section 17.1, requires prescribed public utilities to offer financing to eligible persons for improving the energy efficiency of a building, or part of a building. British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) is a prescribed public utility for the purposes of section 17.1 of the Clean Energy Act;
B. On July 24, 2012, the Improvement Financing Regulation was issued and subsequently amended on September 13, 2012 (Regulation), providing further requirements and prescriptions for the financing program to be established by a prescribed public utility. The Regulation specified the scope and certain terms and conditions of the home improvement financing BC Hydro must offer to eligible persons in the City of Colwood, British Columbia for a two-year period beginning November 1, 2012;
C. On October 1, 2012, BC Hydro applied for approval, pursuant to the Clean Energy Act, section 17.1(9) and sections 58 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act, of electric tariff amendments for the Power Smart Home Loan Pilot Program in the City of Colwood effective November 1, 2012;
D. BC Hydro filed a Power Smart Home Loan Pilot Program Amendment on October 10, 2012;
E. On October 15, 2012, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) issued Information Requests to BC Hydro and a request to stakeholders for comments on the Application;
F. On October 23, 2012, comments were received from the British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre (BCPIAC) on behalf of the British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization (BCPSO);
G. By Order G-162-12 dated October 30, 2012, the Commission approved the electric tariff amendments for the BC Hydro Power Smart Home Loan Pilot Program;
H. On June 28, 2013, BCPIAC, on behalf of its client BCPSO, filed a Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) application with the Commission in the amount of $818.04 with respect to its participation in the BC Hydro Power Smart Home Loan Pilot Program Application. BCPIAC stated that they had spoken with a representative of BC Hydro who indicated that BC Hydro did not object to the late PACA submission;
I. In a letter dated July 23, 2013, BC Hydro stated it had reviewed the BCPSO PACA application, and finds that cost claims made by BCPSO are substantially consistent with the Commission PACA Guidelines. BC Hydro stated the BCPSO contributed towards a better understanding of the BC Hydro Power Smart Home Loan Pilot Program Application and leaves it to the Commission as to the level of cost awards to be made;
J. The Commission has reviewed BCPSO’s PACA application with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines in Commission Order G‑72-07 and concluded that cost awards should be approved for the amount set out in the PACA application.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:
1. Approval of cost award for the British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre on behalf of the British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization in the amount of $818.04 for its participation in the Application by British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) regarding Electric Tariff Amendments for the Power Smart Home Loan Pilot Program in the City of Colwood effective November 1, 2012.
2. BC Hydro is directed to reimburse the above-noted participant in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 1st day of August 2013.
BY ORDER
Original Signed By:
D.M. Morton
Commissioner