Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

Participant Assistant / Cost Award Applications

in the FortisBC Energy Inc.

Biomethane Service Offering: Post Implementation Report and

Application for Approval of the

Continuation and Modification of the Biomethane Program on a Permanent Basis

(2012 Biomethane Application)

BEFORE:               D.M. Morton, Panel Chair/Commissioner

                                D.A. Cote, Commissioner                                                February 27, 2014

                                L.A. O’Hara, Commissioner

                                C. van Wermeskerken, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On December 19, 2012, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) seeking approvals for the continuation of the Biomethane Program on a permanent basis with certain modifications (2012 Biomethane Application);

B.      On January 8, 2013, by Order G-1-13, the Commission established a written hearing process and a Preliminary Regulatory Timetable;

C.      Seven Interveners registered for the 2012 Biomethane Application Proceeding:  the Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia (CEC), the British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization
et al. (BCPSO), the B.C. Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA), the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
(BC Hydro), Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District (GVS&DD), CHFour Biogas (CH4), and the City of Vancouver.  The City of Vancouver also filed Evidence and responded to one round of Information Requests from the Commission and other Registered Interveners;

D.      On March 18, 2013, by Order G-40-13, the Commission suspended the 2012 Biomethane Application proceeding Regulatory Timetable pending the outcome of FEI’s Application for Reconsideration of Commission Order
G-29-13;

E.       On April 10, 2013, by Order G-53-13, the Commission re-commenced the review of the 2012 Biomethane  Application and established a Revised Regulatory Timetable; and

F.       On December 11, 2013, the Commission issued its Decision concurrently with Order G-210-13;

G.      Between August 26 and September 10, 2013, the following Interveners filed applications for a Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) funding:

•         British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization et al. (BCPSO);

•         B.C. Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA);

•         Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia (CEC);

H.      By letter dated January 9, 2014, to the Commission, FEI provided comments on the PACA applications indicating it has no comments regarding the time identified or amounts applied for so long as the Commission has no concerns;

I.        The Commission reviewed the PACA applications with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines in Commission Order G-72-07 and concludes that cost awards should be approved for the PACA applications in the proceeding.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:

1.       Pursuant to section 118 (1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission awards funds in the following amounts to the Interveners for their participation in the proceeding. 

2.       FortisBC Energy Inc. is directed to reimburse the above noted Interveners for the amounts that have been awarded in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this             27^th            day of February 2014.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                D.M. Morton

                                                                                                                                Panel Chair/Commissioner