Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

FortisBC Inc.

Application for a Radio-Off

Advanced Metering Infrastructure Meter Option

BEFORE:               L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner                                              
                                D.M. Morton, Commissioner                                          September 18, 2013

                                N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On July 26, 2012, FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission), pursuant to sections 45, 46 and 56 of the Utilities Commission Act, for approval of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project;

B.      By Order C-7-13 dated July 23, 2013, the Commission granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the AMI Project (AMI Project Decision).  The approval was subject to the condition that FortisBC confirm in writing that it will file an application for an opt-out provision by November 1, 2013, based on principles set out in the AMI Project Decision;

C.      On July 31, 2013, FortisBC confirmed in writing that it would file an application for an opt-out provision;

D.      On August 30, 2013, FortisBC filed an application for a Radio-Off AMI Meter Option (the Application) based on principles set out in the AMI Project Decision.  The Application sets out the fees and process for customers who choose the Radio-Off AMI Meter Option;

E.       Order G-142-13 dated September 9, 2013, directed FortisBC to promptly publish notice of the Application in specific newspapers and to distribute copies of Order G-142-13 and its Appendices in a timely fashion, via email, to the Registered Interveners and Interested Parties in the FortisBC Application for a CPCN for the AMI Project.  The Order also directed those parties wishing to participate in the review of the Application to register with the Commission Secretary through the Commission website as soon as possible;

F.       The Commission Panel has reviewed the Application and determines that a written hearing process is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission Panel orders as follows:

1.       A written hearing process is established for the review of the Radio-Off Advanced Metering Infrastructure Meter Option Application, following the Regulatory Timetable attached as Appendix A to this Order.

2.       In reviewing the Radio-Off Advanced Metering Infrastructure Meter Option Application, the written hearing is limited in scope to the opt-out principles outlined by the Commission Panel in Order C-7-13.  The opt-out principles are as follows:

a)       Customers may chose to opt-out of accepting a wireless transmitting meter.

b)       Customers who chose to opt-out will be provided with an Advanced Metering Infrastructure meter that has the wireless transmit functions disabled.  Transmit functions on these meters will remain disabled until the individual chooses to opt back in to the Advanced Metering Infrastructure program; in the event that the customer moves to a new property, the opt-out choice will move with the customer.

c)       The incremental cost of opting-out of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure program will be borne by the individual choosing to opt-out.

3.       Those parties wishing to participate in the review of the Radio-Off Advanced Metering Infrastructure Meter Option Application must register with the Commission Secretary through the British Columbia Utilities Commission website by September 25, 2013.

4.       FortisBC Inc. must file the following items with the British Columbia Utilities Commission by September 25, 2013:

a)       Supporting schedules for the proposed per-premise setup fee and per-read fee included in the Radio-Off Advanced Metering Infrastructure Option Application, in a working excel document.

b)       Supporting documents for the percentage of customers opting out of those programs in the United States listed on page 6 of the Radio-Off Advanced Metering Infrastructure Option Application.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this                18^th                day of September 2013.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                            Original signed by

                                                                                                                                L.F. Kelsey

                                                                                                                                Panel Chair/Commissioner

Attachment

An Application by FortisBC Inc.

for a Radio-Off Advanced Metering Infrastructure Meter Option

REGULATORY TIMETABLE