Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

Applications for Participant Assistance/Cost Awards

in the Application by FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc.

for Reconsideration and Variance – Phase 2 of the

Multi-Year Performance Based Ratemaking Plans for 2014 through 2019

approved by the British Columbia Utilities Commission

Decisions and Orders G-138-14 and G-139-14

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

D. A. Cote, Commissioner                                               March 4, 2015

N. E. MacMurchy, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      By Order G-72-07 dated July 5, 2007, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) approved Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) Guidelines, included as Appendix A to the order. Pursuant to the PACA Guidelines, an application for a cost award must be made by filing a written application with the Commission within thirty days following the last day of a proceeding;

B.      On September 15, 2014, the Commission issued Order G-138-14 for FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) and Order
G-139-14 for FortisBC Inc. (FBC), with accompanying Decisions, setting out the approved Multi-Year Performance Based Ratemaking (PBR) plans for FEI and FBC (collectively Fortis) for the period from 2014 through 2019 (PBR Decisions);

C.      By letter dated October 3, 2014, Fortis filed a Request for Clarification and Request for Reconsideration and Variance of certain aspects of the PBR Decisions (Reconsideration Application);

D.      By letter dated October 9, 2014, the Commission established Phase One of the reconsideration process wherein it requested comments from interveners on whether the Commission should proceed to Phase Two of the reconsideration process. Fortis was also given the opportunity to respond to intervener comments;

E.       By Order G-173-14 dated November 12, 2014, the Commission determined that the Reconsideration Application should proceed to Phase Two of the reconsideration process (Phase 2 Reconsideration Proceeding) and established a regulatory timetable for parties to file final and reply submissions;

F.       The Phase 2 Reconsideration Proceeding concluded on December 23, 2014, coincident with Fortis’ Reply Submission;

G.      On February 10, 2015, the Commission issued Order G-15-15 and the accompanying Reasons for Decision regarding the Reconsideration Application;

H.      Between January 13, 2015 and February 20, 2015, the following interveners filed PACA applications: the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al., the Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia and the B.C. Sustainable Energy Association and the Sierra Club of British Columbia;

I.        Pursuant to the PACA Guidelines, Fortis was provided an opportunity to comment on the PACA applications and submitted its letter of comment on February 27, 2015;

J.        The Commission reviewed the PACA applications and comments from Fortis in accordance with the PACA Guidelines and considers that approval is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:

1.       Funding is awarded to the following interveners for their participation in the FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc. (Fortis) Phase 2 Reconsideration of the Multi-Year Performance Based Ratemaking Plans approved by the British Columbia Utilities Commission Decisions and Orders G-138-14 and G-139-14:

2.       Fortis is directed to reimburse the above participants for the respective amounts that have been awarded in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this             4^th                   day of March of 2015.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                D. M. Morton

                                                                                                                                Commissioner/Panel Chair