Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

Applications for Participant Assistance/Cost Award

in the Application by FortisBC Energy Inc.

for Approval of a Temporary Service Agreement for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Service,

for Approval of a Service Agreement for LNG Delivery,

for Approval of a Daily Charge for the Use of a LNG Tanker and

for Approval of a Daily Charge for the Use of a Mobile LNG Refueling Station

BEFORE:               A.A Rhodes, Panel Chair/Commissioner

                                D.M. Morton, Commissioner

                                D.A. Cote, Commissioner                                             August 21, 2013

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On July 12, 2011, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) filed an application (Original Application) with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission), pursuant to sections 59-61 and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act, for approval on an interim basis of a Temporary LNG Station Installation and Operation Agreement dated May 12, 2011, between FEI and Vedder Transport Ltd. (Temporary Refueling Agreement) and for approval of a Transportation Services Agreement dated May 12, 2011 between FEI and Vedder Transport Ltd. (Delivery Agreement);

B.      On August 8, 2011, FEI filed an amendment to the Original Application (together the Amended Application);

C.      On August 12, 2011, the Commission issued Order G-144-11 granting interim approval of the Temporary Refueling Agreement and the Delivery Agreement pending a more complete review of the Amended Application;

D.      On August 31, 2011, the Commission issued Letter L-68-11 suspending the regulatory review process for the Amended Application pending completion of the FortisBC Utilities 2012-2013 Revenue Requirements and Natural Gas Rates Application (FEU RRA);

E.       On April 12, 2012, the Commission issued Order G-44-12 and the related Decision regarding the FEU RRA;

F.      The Commission issued Order G-70-12 dated May 12, 2012, resuming the regulatory review of the Amended Application and establishing a written hearing process;

G.     On October 22, 2012, the Commission issued Order G-156-12 setting out its Decision on the Amended Application;

H.      The following Interveners filed applications for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) funding:

•         BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA) filed August 23, 2012; and

•         British Columba Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization et al. (BCPSO) filed September 14, 2012;

I.      By letter dated October 10, 2012 to the Commission, FEI indicated it had no comments regarding the PACA amounts submitted as long as the Commission had no concerns; and

J.     The Commission has reviewed the PACA applications having regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines in Commission Order G-72-07 and concludes that PACA funding should be awarded to BCPSO and BCSEA in the amounts requested.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:

1.       Pursuant to section 118 (1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission awards funding to the participants in the following amounts :

2.    FEI is directed to reimburse the above noted participants for the award amounts in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this          21^st           day of August 2013.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                Alison A. Rhodes

                                                                                                                                Panel Chair/Commissioner