IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Participant Assistance / Cost Award Applications
in the FortisBC Inc.
Section 71 Application for Acceptance of the Capacity and Energy Purchase
and Sale Agreement between FortisBC Inc. and Powerex Corp.
BEFORE: K. A. Keilty, Panel Chair/Commissioner May 28, 2015
I. F. MacPhail, Commissioner
D. M. Morton, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On March 6, 2015, FortisBC Inc. (FBC) filed with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for acceptance as an energy supply contract under section 71 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), to the extent within the Commission’s jurisdiction, of a Capacity and Energy Purchase and Sale Agreement (CEPSA) dated February 17, 2015, for purchase of power between FBC and Powerex Corp. (Powerex);
B. The Commission issued letter L-11-15 dated March 16, 2015 providing interested stakeholders the opportunity to submit comments in regard to the acceptance under section 71 of the UCA of the applicable sections of the redacted CEPSA;
C. Submissions were received from British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre on behalf of British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al (BCOAPO), jointly from BC Sustainable Energy Association and the Sierra Club of BC, from the Industrial Customers Group, BC Hydro and Powerex;
D. On April 27, 2015, the Commission issued Order E-10-15 and attached reasons for decision accepting the CEPSA for filing under section 71 of the UCA;
E. On May 1, 2015, BCOAPO filed an application for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) funding;
F. By letter dated May 12, 2015 to the Commission, FBC provided comments on the BCOAPO PACA application indicating it had no comments regarding the time identified or amount applied for so long as the Commission has no concerns; and
G. The Commission reviewed the PACA applications with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines appended to Commission Order G-72-07 and concludes that the requested cost award should be approved for the PACA application in the proceeding.
NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to section 118 (1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:
1. The Participant Assistance/Cost Award requested by the British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre on behalf of British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al (BCOAPO) is approved as requested in the amount of $1,170.75 for BCOAPO’s participation in the subject proceeding.
2. FortisBC Inc. is directed to reimburse BCOAPO for the amount awarded in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 28th day of May 2015.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
K. A. Keilty
Panel Chair/Commissioner