IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
Application for Participant Assistance/Cost Award
in the Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd.
(Fort
St. John/Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge Divisions)
2012 Revenue Requirements Application
BEFORE: C.A. Brown, Commissioner January 10, 2013
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On November 30, 2011, the Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. [PNG (N.E.)] Fort St. John/Dawson Creek (FSJ/DC) and Tumbler Ridge (TR) Divisions filed with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission), its 2012 Revenue Requirements Application (RRA, Application) to among other things, amend its delivery rates pursuant to sections 58 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (Act);
B. By letter dated January 4, 2012, the Commission proposed a draft regulatory timetable for the review of the Application and requested submissions regarding the draft regulatory timetable. In accordance with Commission Order G-208-11, a Workshop was held on January 12, 2012;
C. On March 15, 2012, PNG (N.E.) filed an Updated Application which forecasted revenue deficiencies of $100,000 for the FSJ/DC Division and $246,000 for the TR Division, down from $331,00 for the FSJ/DC Division and $323,000 for the TR Division in the Application filed on November 30, 2011;
D. Commission Order G-12-12 established an Amended Regulatory Timetable for the review of the Application that included a request for Intervener submissions regarding the format of the proceeding following PNG (N.E.)’s responses to the second round of Information Requests and a draft written argument schedule;
E. By Order G-67-12 dated May 28, 2012, the Commission established a written hearing process for the review of the Application;
F. By Order G-168-12 dated November 9, 2012, the Commission issued its Decision on the PNG (N.E.) Revenue Requirements Application;
G. On June 29, 2012, the British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre filed an application for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) on behalf of its client, the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO), in the amount of $10,248.00;
H. On July 6, 2012, PNG advised the Commission that it had reviewed the BCOAPO’s PACA Application and considered it to be reasonable;
I. The Commission reviewed the BCOAPO’s PACA Application with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines in Commission Order G-72-07 and has concluded that BCOAPO’s PACA Application should be approved.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:
1. The Commission awards funds in the requested amount of $10,248.00 to the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (recently changed to the British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization), with respect to its participation in the review of the PNG (N.E.) 2012 Revenue Requirements Application.
2. PNG is directed to reimburse the above-noted Participant for the award amount in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 10th day of January 2013.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
C.A. Brown
Commissioner