Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473

and

Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.

2012 Resource Plan for PNG(N.E.) Pipeline Systems

BEFORE:               D.A. Cote, Panel Chair/Commissioner                     February 1, 2013

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On October 1, 2012, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) received Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG)’s 2012 Resource Plan for PNG(N.E.)’s Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge distribution pipeline systems (2012 Resource Plan);

B.      PNG provided a copy of the 2012 Resource Plan to the parties who registered as interveners in PNG(N.E.) 2012 Revenue Requirements application, namely the British Columbia Pensioners and Seniors’ Organization (BCPSO) and the Peace River Regional District. PNG requested parties to provide comments on the 2012 Resource Plan to the Commission and PNG;

C.      By Order G-147-12 dated October 16, 2012, the Commission established a Written Hearing Process and a regulatory timetable with one round of Information Requests (IRs) to review the 2012 Resource Plan;

D.      On October 22, 2012, the BCPSO registered as Intervener in this proceeding;

E.       On November 2, 2012, in accordance with the Initial Regulatory Timetable established by Order G-147-12, the Commission and BCPSO submitted IR No. 1, respectively, to PNG;

F.       On November 6, 2012, the Peace River District submitted a letter to the Commission noting its decision not to intervene in this proceeding;

G.     On November 7, 2012, PNG filed a letter with the Commission requesting a variance, and proposing amendments, to the Initial Regulatory Timetable;

H.      By Order G-173-12 dated November 15, 2012, the Commission issued the Amended Regulatory Timetable;

I.        By Order G-185-12 dated December 3, 2012, the Commission suspended the Amended Regulatory Timetable;

J.        By letter dated January 10, 2013, the Commission sought comments from PNG(N.E.) and the Registered Interveners on whether, in their view, there is sufficient evidence on the record, or if a second round of IRs is warranted.  The Commission provided a timetable for the submission of comments;

K.      On January 15, 2013, PNG(N.E.) submitted its comments in response to the Commission’s letter, noting that, in its view, its original submission and the initial round of IRs have resulted in adequate and appropriate evidence being filed in connection with the 2012 Resource Plan.  PNG(N.E.) also believes that the issues that may attract further questioning, such as Demand-Side Management programs and elements of a proposed solution to meet demand in the Tumbler Ridge service area, are best examined on a stand-alone basis. PNG(N.E.) has committed to addressing both of these matters during 2013. As a result, PNG does not believe a second round of IRs is warranted;

L.       On January 21, 2013, pursuant to the Commission’s letter of January 10, 2013 and PNG(N.E.)’s comments of January 15, 2013, BCPSO submits that the evidentiary record to date is satisfactory and it does not require a further round of IRs; and

M.    On January 25, 2013, based on the foregoing, PNG(N.E.) reiterated its position that no further rounds of IRs are required on this matter.

NOW THEREFORE, the Commission orders that the Written Hearing Process be re-established in accordance with the Regulatory Timetable attached as Appendix A to this Order.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this            1st             day of February 2013.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                                Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                D.A. Cote

                                                                                                                                Commissioner

Attachment

Pacific Northern Gas LTD.

Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.

2012 Resource Plan for PNG(N.E.) Pipeline Systems

REGULATORY TIMETABLE