IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
Application by FortisBC Energy Inc.
for Approval of a Multi-Year Performance Based Ratemaking Plan for the years 2014 through 2018
BEFORE: D.M. Morton, Panel Chair/Commissioner
D.A. Cote, Commissioner December 30, 2013
N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner
B.A. Magnan, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On June 10, 2013, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for approval of a proposed multi-year Performance Based Ratemaking (PBR) plan for the years 2014 through 2018, and for approval of a permanent natural gas delivery rate increase of approximately 0.7 percent as compared to 2013 permanent delivery rates effective January 1, 2013, pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) (Application);
B. On December 12, 2013, FEI, FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc. and FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. (together FortisBC Energy Utilities, FEU) filed a letter requesting acceptance pursuant to section 44.2 of the UCA of Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) expenditures schedules for 2014 that are sufficient to permit the FEU to carry on its existing, previously approved EEC programs until a Decision is issued in this proceeding (EEC Expenditures);
C. The EEC Expenditures include:
• An expenditure schedule for EEC funding of up to $15m from January 1, 2014 to the time of a Decision in the proceeding in order to maintain previously approved EEC programs. EEC expenditures would be limited to the continuation of previously approved programs
• Continuation of the EEC framework for these EEC expenditures (including financial treatment) previously approved by Order G-44-12 for the 2012/2013 test period only.
D. On December 18, 2013, Commission Letter L-74-13 established a regulatory timetable for further submission regarding the EEC Expenditures;
E.
The Commission received
submissions from the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union on
December 18, 2013, Commercial Energy Consumers Association and B.C. Pensioners’
and Seniors’ Organization on December 20, 2013 and B.C.
Sustainable Energy Association and Sierra Club of British Columbia on December 23, 2013 supporting the FEU’s
request;
F. The FEU filed its reply submission on December 24, 2013; and
G. The Commission has considered the FEU’s letter of December 12, 2013 and Intervener and FEU submissions.
NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:
1. Pursuant to section 44.2(a) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission accepts the FortisBC Energy Utilities Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) expenditure schedules of up to $15 million on the EEC program areas described in Appendix B of the FortisBC Energy Utilities’ letter of December 12, 2013.
2. The EEC framework for EEC expenditures (including financial treatment), previously approved by Order G-44-12 (p. 151) for the 2012/2013 test period only, will continue for the purpose of these expenditures subject to a final order of the Commission in this Proceeding.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 30th day of December 2013.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D.M. Morton
Panel Chair/Commissioner