IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application for Participant Assistance/Cost Award
in the Application by Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd.
2014 Revenue Requirements Application
for the Fort St. John/Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge Divisions
BEFORE: D.A. Cote, Panel Chair/Commissioner
C.A. Brown, Commissioner September 11, 2014
C. van Wermeskerken, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On November 29, 2013, Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. [PNG (N.E.)] Fort St. John/Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge Divisions filed their 2014 Revenue Requirements Application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) pursuant to sections 58 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) seeking, among other things, Commission approval to increase delivery rates (2014 RRA);
B. British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization (BCOAPO) registered as an Intervener in the proceeding;
C. By Order G-32-14, dated March 12, 2014, the Commission established a Negotiated Settlement Process (NSP) for the review of the 2014 RRA, and by Letter L-20-14 dated May 20, 2014, the Commission issued an Amended Regulatory Timetable;
D. On July 7, 2014, BCOAPO filed an application for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) for the 2014 RRA in the amount of $10,610.52 (BCOAPO PACA Application);
E. By Order G-88-14 dated July 9, 2014, the Commission approved the Negotiated Settlement Agreement (NSA) for the 2014 RRA. Pursuant to Directive 2 of Order G-88-14, the Commission directed that PNG (N.E.)’s request for recovery of costs in the 2013/2014 Quintette Security of Supply Agreement (SSA) Deferral Account be severed from the 2014 NSP as agreed by the NSP participants. The Commission further directed that this issue would be reviewed by way of a Written Hearing Process;
F. On August 22, 2014, PNG (N.E.) advised the Commission that it has no comments on the BCOAPO PACA Application;
G. By Order G-124-14 dated August 29, 2014, the Commission denied PNG (N.E.)’s request to recover the costs in the 2013/2014 Quintette SSA Deferral Account from ratepayers;
H. The Commission has reviewed the BCOAPO PACA Application with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines in Commission Order G-72-07 and finds the requested amount reasonable.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:
1. A Participant Assistance/Cost Award in the requested amount of $10,610.52 is awarded to the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization with respect to its participation in the Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. 2014 Revenue Requirements Application proceeding.
2. Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. is directed to reimburse British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization for the amount awarded in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 11th day of September 2014.
BY ORDER
Original Signed By:
D.A. Cote
Panel Chair/Commissioner