Orders

Via Email                                                                                                              April 9, 2013

Re: FortisBC Energy Inc.

Biomethane Third-Party Suppliers Regulatory Process:

Applications for Approval of Third-Party Suppliers’ rates and

Acceptance of FEI Biomethane Supply Agreements with Third-party Suppliers and

This letter outlines the Streamlined Review Process (SRP) that will be followed for the review of:

•         the applications by FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) noted above; and

•         the associated rate applications by Earth Renu Energy Corp. (Earth Renu), Dicklands Farms (Dicklands), and Seabreeze Farms Ltd (Seabreeze). 

A.    General Directions

1.       The SRP will commence at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, April 22, 2013, on the 12^th Floor, 1125 Howe Street, Vancouver.

2.       The scope of this proceeding is limited to the above applications. 

3.       As set out in the Guidelines for Streamlined Review Processes, participation in the SRP will be limited to Applicants, Registered Interveners and Commission staff. 

4.       The SRP will proceed in two parts:

•         Part 1 will be an open session  to review the process issues and non-confidential filings related to FEI capital expenditures for interconnection facilities;

•         Part 2 will be separate consecutive in-camera sessions to review:

o   the rate applications by Earth Renu, Dicklands, and Seabreeze; and

o   the FEI relevant supply agreements for each of the biomethane projects.  The Commission will consider the FEI supply agreements individually in each relevant session, unless interested parties identify concerns with that approach in which case, depending on the concerns, the Commission may review the FEI supply agreements in a fourth in-camera session.

o   The Commission will deem FEI to be an Intervener in the associated rate applications by Earth Renu, Dicklands, and Seabreeze because FEI is the purchaser and has filed related applications that the Commission is considering concurrently.

B.    Procedure During Sessions

The SRP will proceed in the following order:

1.       The Panel Chair will make an Opening Statement and comment on procedural matters for the day.

2.       The participants will register their appearances.  At the commencement of Part 1, FEI will give a brief overview of the 2012 Biomethane Application and related interconnection facilities for the three rate applications and supply agreements. 

3.       After FEI’s presentation, the biomethane suppliers will have an opportunity to explain their interests.

4.       After the biomethane supplier presentations, other hearing participants will have an opportunity to explain their interests.

5.       Participants may ask questions to FEI or other presenters at the conclusion of the presentations.  Questions of clarification may be asked during the presentations, as necessary.  Participants who may wish to ask questions should advise Commission counsel in advance to assist with the planning and conduct of the session.  When asking questions participants should first identify themselves for the record and then ask their question.  

6.       Following questions and an appropriate break, as necessary, FEI will give its final submission on interconnection facilities.  Interveners may then give their Final Submissions.  FEI will then have the opportunity to reply.

7.       Following the close of Part 1 session, each Part 2 in-camera session will follow the same process outlined above.

The SRP is designed to combine the essential elements of a Workshop, Oral Hearing, Information Requests and Final Submissions in one efficient process.  Although a verbatim transcript of the discussions will be taken by Allwest Reporting Ltd., all parties may engage the process in an informal yet respectful manner.

C.    Confidential Undertakings

The Commission reminds parties of Directive 3 of Order G-46-13 concerning the in-camera sessions.  Intervener counsel and participating FEI customer group representatives will be provided with access to confidential

information, subject to filing an Undertaking of Confidentiality in satisfactory form with FEI with a copy to the Commission.

If you have any questions or concerns about the process, please contact the undersigned.

D.    Advance Submissions Requested

The Commission invites additional submissions from parties by Tuesday, April 16, 2013 on following matters:

1.    Confidentiality of biomethane rates once approved by the Commission.  Specifically, how would a request to keep the contracts confidential reconcile with the requirement of section 62 of the Utilities Commission Act?

62   A public utility must keep a copy of the schedules filed open to and available for public inspection under commission rules.

        2.    Requirement for subsection 71(1) filing by FEI in this proceeding.

                                                                                                                                Yours truly,

                                                                                                                                Erica Hamilton

/dg