IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application by FortisBC Inc.
for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project
BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner
D.M. Morton, Commissioner August 14, 2013
N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On July 23, 2013, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) issued Order C-7-13 granting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to FortisBC Inc. for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project;
B. Order C-7-13 included the following directive:
“NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 45, 46 and 56 of the Utilities Commission Act the Commission orders as follows:
1. A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity is granted to FortisBC for the AMI Project as described in the Application and as modified by directives in this Order and the Decision issued concurrently with it and subject to the condition that FortisBC must confirm in writing by August 1, 2013 that it will file an application for an opt-out provision by November 1, 2013 based on the following principles:
(a) Customers may choose to opt-out of accepting a wireless transmitting meter.
(b) Customers who choose to opt-out will be provided with an AMI 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 AMI program; in the event that the customer moves from the property, the opt-out choice will move with the customer.
(c) The incremental cost of opting-out of the AMI program will be borne by the individuals choosing to opt-out.”
C. On July 31, 2013, FortisBC Inc. submitted a letter to the Commission confirming that it will file an application for an opt-out provision by November 1, 2013 based on the prescribed principles.
NOW THEREFORE, the Commission orders that the condition for granting the CPCN by Order C-7-13 has been met and directs FortisBC Inc. to submit its application for an opt-out provision by November 1, 2013.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 14th day of August 2013.
BY ORDER
Original Signed by:
D.M. Morton
Commissioner