IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Silversmith Power & Light Corporation
Application for Approval of Revenue Requirements and Rates
BEFORE: L. F. Kelsey, Commissioner September 3, 2015
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On May 12, 2015, Silversmith Power & Light Corporation (Silversmith), filed with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) pursuant to section 58 of the Utilities Commission Act, an application seeking, among other things, approval to change electricity rates (Application);
B. In the Application, Silversmith requested approval of a flow-through rate adjustment mechanism similar to that approved by Order G-68-05. Silversmith also requested approval to change its tariff terms and conditions for electrical service; and
C. Order G-83-15 established a regulatory timetable for the review process which allowed for one round of information requests, and by way of letter dated July 20, 2015, the Commission established the remainder of the regulatory timetable for written final submissions from all parties.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 58 through 61 of the Utilities Commission Act, the British Columbia Utilities Commission orders as follows:
1. Silversmith Power & Light Corporation is directed to comply with all directives in the decision issued concurrently with this order.
2. A rate-setting mechanism that generally matches its rates, fees and terms and conditions of service to those of British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) is approved for Silversmith Power & Light Corporation. The rates, fees and terms and conditions of service established in this decision will be permanent until Silversmith Power & Light Corporation files a further revenue requirements application, the Commission directs it to file one, or until such time as an Electricity Purchase Agreement with BC Hydro becomes effective.
3. A flow-through rate adjustment mechanism is approved for Silversmith Power & Light Corporation in order to maintain customer rates at levels equivalent to BC Hydro, subject to the filing of the amended tariff pages with the Commission within ten business days of the effective date for changes to BC Hydro’s rates, and subject to review by the Commission to verify the accuracy of the changes, and subject to review by the Commission in the event of a complaint by an affected party within 60 days of the effective date of amended rates. Electricity rates must match those of approved BC Hydro Rate Schedules 1101, 1300 and 1901 using the approved flow-through rate adjustment mechanism. In the event that Silversmith does not file amended tariff pages within ten business days of the effective date of the BC Hydro rate change, the rate changes will not become effective until such time as otherwise approved by the Commission.
4. All approved changes to rates, fees and terms and conditions of service as outlined in the decision are to take effect as of the date of the decision, subject to the filing of the amended tariff pages with the Commission within 30 days of the date of the decision, and which conform to the determinations made in this decision.
5. Silversmith Power & Light Corporation must notify all customers of the approved rate changes by way of letter and include a copy of this order, the decision and the amended tariff pages in its customer communications.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 3rd day of September, 2015.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
L. F. Kelsey
Commissioner