Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

FortisBC Energy Inc.

Application for Approval of 2015-2016 Revenue Requirements and Rates

for the Fort Nelson Service Area

BEFORE:               D. A. Cote, Commissioner                                           

                                H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner                                    December 10, 2014

                                I. F. MacPhail, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On December 3, 2014, FortisBC Energy Inc. submitted its 2015-2016 revenue requirements and rates application for the Fort Nelson service area (FEFN) with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission), pursuant to sections 58 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (Act), seeking, among other things, Commission approval to increase delivery rates (Application);

B.      FEFN forecasts a 2015 revenue deficiency of approximately $473 thousand and a 2016 revenue deficiency of approximately $153 thousand, the effects of which result in an approximate 24.26 percent increase to delivery rates in 2015 and a further increase of 7.58 percent in 2016;

C.      The Application also seeks interim relief pursuant to section 89 of the Act to allow FEFN to amend its rates on an interim and refundable basis, effective January 1, 2015, pending the hearing of the Application and orders subsequent to that hearing. As part of the interim approvals sought, FEFN seeks approval to decrease the Revenue Stabilization Adjustment Mechanism (RSAM) to $0.039 per GJ, which is a decrease of $0.045 per GJ;

D.      FEFN proposes the Application be reviewed by a written hearing process;

E.       The Commission considers establishing a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, and allowing interveners and other interested parties to make written submissions regarding the regulatory process to be followed, is necessary and in the public interest.

NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 58 to 61, and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:

1.       The Commission approves, on an interim and refundable basis, the delivery rates and Revenue Stabilization Adjustment Mechanism rate rider as set forth in the Application, effective January 1, 2015. Any differences between the interim and permanent rates following final disposition of the Application are subject to refund/recovery, with interest at the average prime rate of FortisBC Energy Inc.’s (FEI) principal bank for its most recent year, in the manner as set out by a Commission order that establishes permanent rates.

2.       FEI is directed to file amended Gas Tariff Rate Schedules for the Fort Nelson service area in accordance with the terms of this order, and in a timely manner.

3.       FEI is directed to provide notice of the interim rates to customers via a billing insert, to be reviewed in advance by Commission staff.

4.       The Regulatory Timetable for the Application is set out in Appendix A to this order.

5.       Interveners and interested parties should register their intention to intervene with the British Columbia Utilities Commission via email or in writing, by Monday, January 5, 2015. Interveners and interested parties should specifically state the nature of their interest in the Application, and identify generally the nature of the issues that they intend to pursue during the proceeding, and the nature and extent of their anticipated involvement in the Application.

6.       FEI must publish as soon as possible, in display-ad format, the Notice of Application attached as Appendix B to this order, in such appropriate news publications as may properly provide adequate notice to the public in the affected service area.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this         10^th              day of December 2014.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

Original signed by:

D. A. Cote

Commissioner

Attachments

FortisBC Energy Inc.

Application for Approval of 2015-2016 Revenue Requirements and Rates

for the Fort Nelson Service Area

REGULATORY TIMETABLE

 

 

 

 

FORTISBC ENERGY INC.

APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF 2015-2016 REVENUE REQUIREMENTS AND RATES

FOR THE FORT NELSON SERVICE AREA

On December 3, 2014, FortisBC Energy Inc. for the Fort Nelson service area (FEFN) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for approval of interim and permanent delivery rates for
2015-2016 (Application) pursuant to sections 58 to 61 and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act. The Application seeks approval, among other things, to increase the delivery rates by 24.26 percent in 2015 and by an additional 7.58 percent in 2016. The Application also seeks interim relief to allow FEFN to amend its rates on an interim and refundable basis, effective January 1, 2015, pending the hearing of the Application and orders subsequent to that hearing.

How to Get Involved

Persons wishing to actively participate in the proceeding must register as an intervener through the Commission’s website at www.bcuc.com or in writing by Monday, January 5, 2015. Registrants must identify the issues they intend to pursue and indicate the extent of their anticipated involvement in the review process. Interveners will each receive a copy of all non-confidential correspondence and filed documentation, and must provide an email address if available. 

Persons not expecting to actively participate, but who have an interest in the proceeding, should register as an interested party through the Commission’s website or in writing, by Monday, January 5, 2015, identifying their interest in the proceeding. Interested parties receive electronic notice of submissions and a copy of the decision when it is released.

Letters of comment on the application will also be accepted. All submissions and/or correspondence received relating to the Application are provided to the panel and all participants in the proceeding. Submissions are placed on the public record and posted to the Commission’s website. By participating and/or providing comment on the Application, you agree that all submissions will be placed on the public record and posted on the Commission’s website. 

View the Application

The Application and all supporting documentation are available on the Commission’s website on the “Current Applications” page. If you would like to review the material in hard copy, it is available to be viewed at the locations below:

For More Information or to Register

For more information or to register please contact Ms. Erica Hamilton, Commission Secretary using the contact information above.