Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

FortisBC Energy Inc.

Application for Approval to Include FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc. and
FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. into the 2014-2019 Multi-Year Performance Based Ratemaking Plan

BEFORE:       D. M. Morton, Commissioner                                             November 24, 2014

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On September 15, 2014, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) issued Order G-138-14 and the accompanying Decision for FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI), setting out the approved Performance Based Ratemaking (PBR) plan for FEI for the period from 2014 through 2019 (PBR Decision);

B.      The PBR Decision, on page 17, directed FEI to provide a detailed review of the historical expenditures of capital, and operations and maintenance (O&M) for FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc. (FEVI) and FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. (FEW) and a formal proposal for including FEVI and FEW within the PBR;

C.      On November 14, 2014, FEI filed an application requesting approval of the following:

•         An increase its 2014 Base O&M by $39.066 million, which includes an increase of $36.564 million to reflect the O&M required for FEVI and FEW, and a further increase of $2,502 thousand to projected FEVI 2014 Company Use Gas;  

•         An increase its 2014 Base Capital by $28.222 million to reflect the Capital Expenditures required for FEVI and FEW (Application); and

D.      The Commission considers that establishing a preliminary regulatory timetable and a procedural conference to determine the appropriate regulatory process for the review of the Application is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:

1.       The preliminary Regulatory Timetable as set out in Appendix A to this order is established.

2.       The Procedural Conference regarding the regulatory process for the review of the Application will be held at a date to be determined;

3.       The Procedural Conference will address matters such as:

a.       process options for review of the Application, including:

‐      negotiated settlement process;

‐      written hearing;

‐      oral public hearing; or

‐      as appropriate, some combination of the above;

b.      timetable (information requests, responses, intervener evidence, etc.);

c.       location(s) of the proceedings;

d.      other matters that will assist the Commission to efficiently review all aspects of the Application.

After the Procedural Conference, the Commission will issue a further procedural order and a regulatory agenda for the review of the Application.

4.       Interveners or interested parties must register with the Commission, in writing or electronic submission, by Monday, December 1, 2014. Interveners should specifically state the nature of their interest in the Application and identify generally the nature of the issues that they may intend to pursue during the proceeding and the nature and extent of their anticipated involvement in the review process.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this        24^th               day of November 2014.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                D. M. Morton

                                                                                                                                Commissioner

Attachment

FortisBC Energy Inc.

Application for Approval to Include FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc. and
FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. into the 2014-2019 Multi-Year Performance Based Ratemaking Plan

REGULATORY TIMETABLE