Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

An Application by British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

To Amend Rate Schedule 1289 for Net Metering Service

BEFORE:                   L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner                                       March 12, 2014

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an Application dated February 28, 2014, with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission), pursuant to sections 58 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for approval to amend Rate Schedule 1289 – Net Metering Service (RS 1289)(Application);

B.      The Application stated that, under RS 1289, eligible customers who install a generating facility are billed for electricity service based on the net amount of metered energy.  If the customer delivers more electricity to BC Hydro than BC Hydro delivers to the customer in a given month, the difference is banked and netted against electricity deliveries in later months.  If a customer has delivered to BC Hydro more electricity over the course of a full year than BC Hydro has delivered to the customer during that year, the customer is paid for the net electricity based on the Energy Price then in effect, as set out in RS 1289.  The Energy Price is approved by the Commission and is generally consistent with electricity prices paid to generators under BC Hydro’s Standing Offer Program;

C.      The Application proposes to:

1. increase the nameplate capacity limit for a Generating Facility from 50 kW to 100 kW;
2. recover any incremental costs incurred from generators larger than 50 kW; and
3. clarify that it may recover incremental costs associated with synchronous generators and customers taking service at primary potential;

D.      The Commission has considered BC Hydro’s Application and considers a written public hearing is appropriate to review the Application.

NOW THEREFORE, the British Columbia Utilities Commission orders as follows:

1.       The Commission establishes a Written Public Hearing process for the review of the Application according to the Regulatory Timetable set out in Appendix A to this Order.  The process includes written Information Requests, responses to Information Requests from BC Hydro, and submissions from Registered Interveners on the Application.

2.       By no later than March 19, 2014, BC Hydro must provide a copy of the Application, and this Commission Order and Regulatory Timetable, to all Interveners or Interested Parties in the 2011 Rate Schedule 1289 proceeding.

3.       By no later than March 19, 2014, BC Hydro must provide (electronically where possible) a copy of the Application, and this Commission Order and Regulatory Timetable, to all parties consulted as part of the Net Metering April 30, 2013 Evaluation Report process, customers with Rate Schedule 1289 applications in progress, and any other party affected by this Application.

4.       By no later than March 19, 2014, BC Hydro must publish the Application, this Commission Order and Regulatory Timetable, on its website.

5.       Interveners and Interested Parties are to register with the Commission, in writing or online via the Commission’s website at www.bcuc.com, by Thursday, March 27, 2014.  Interveners are to state the nature of their interest in the Application and identify generally the nature of the issues they may intend to pursue during the proceeding and the nature and extent of their anticipated involvement in the review process.  Once accepted, Registered Interveners will receive from BC Hydro copies of the Application, all correspondence and filed documentation.  Interested Parties may file Letters of Comment and will receive a copy of the Commission’s Decision, when issued.

6.       Interveners intending to apply for Participant Assistance must submit a budget estimate by Monday, April 7, 2014.  Participant Assistance applications should be consistent with the Commission’s Participant Assistance/Cost Award Guidelines and Order G-72-07.  Copies of the Guidelines are available upon request or can be downloaded from the Commission’s website.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this            12th                day of March, 2014.

BY ORDER

Original Signed By:

L.F. Kelsey

Commissioner

Attachment

Application by British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

for Approval to Amend Rate Schedule 1289 for Net Metering Service