Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

An Application by Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd.

for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to Acquire,

Construct, Own and Operate a Compressed Natural Gas Virtual Pipeline

between the Communities of Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge

BEFORE:               B.A. Magnan, Panel Chair/Commissioner

                                L. O’Hara, Commissioner                                              August 8, 2013

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On July 17, 2013, Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. (PNG(N.E.)) submitted an application to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) seeking approval for:

i.          A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act (Act) to construct and operate a permanent “virtual pipeline” trucking service to deliver compressed natural gas (CNG) between Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge (“CNG Virtual Pipeline”), and;

ii.       Approval, under sections 59, 60 and 61 of the Act, of a proposed new Bulk CNG Service (RS30) tariff for Dawson Creek to provide CNG service to customers (the Initial Application);

B.      The Application also seeks approval for the disposition of costs deferred under the Quintette Security of Supply Agreement, including the transfer of $43,180 in costs to the capital cost of the CNG Virtual Pipeline and the recovery of remaining costs of $286,586 in Tumbler Ridge customer rates over a period of five years;

C.       PNG (N.E.) seeks expedited approval of the Application to make the land and equipment purchases necessary to provide service and supply to the Quintette mine in time for the 2013/2014 winter season;

D.      The Commission considers that a written review process is necessary and in the public interest for the regulatory review of the Application.

E.        

NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 45-46 and 59-61 of the Act, the Commission orders as follows:

1.       The Regulatory Timetable for the review of the Application is as set out in Appendix A to this Order.

2.       Persons wishing to participate as Interveners or as Interested Parties should register with the Commission by Friday, August 16, 2013.

3.       PNG(N.E.) is to provide a copy of this Commission Order, electronically where possible, to all parties who participated in the PNG(N.E.) 2013 Revenue Requirements Application proceedings, as well as the City of Dawson Creek and the District of Tumbler Ridge.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this             8th              day of August 2013.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                                Original Signed By:

                                                                                                                                B.A. Magnan

                                                                                                                                Panel Chair/Commissioner

Attachment

An Application by Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd.

for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to Acquire,

Construct, Own and Operate a Compressed Natural Gas Virtual Pipeline

between the Communities of Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge

REGULATORY TIMETABLE