Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

Application for Participant Assistance/Cost Awards

in the Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. Application for Reconsideration of Order G-104-15A
No Changes to 2015 Delivery Rates and Changes to the

2015 Revenue Stabilization Adjustment Mechanism Rider

for the PNG-West Service Area

BEFORE:               C. A. Brown, Commissioner/Panel Chair

K. A. Keilty, Commissioner                                           September 8, 2015

D. M. Morton, 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 November 28, 2014, Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) filed with the Commission, pursuant to sections 59 to 61, 89 and 90 of the Utilities Commission Act, an Application for No Changes to 2015 Delivery Rates and Changes to the 2015 Revenue Stabilization Adjustment Mechanism (RSAM) Rider (Original Application);

C.      On March 9, 2015, PNG filed an amended application (Application) that included an increase in the forecast revenue deficiency to $175,000, up from $117,000 in the Original Application;

D.      On June 18, 2015, the Commission issued Order G-104-15A and attached reasons for decision that included determinations with respect to the 2015 delivery rates, the annualized 2015 RSAM rider and changes to the deferral accounts as set forth in the Application;

E.       By letter dated June 23, 2015, PNG filed a Request for Reconsideration and Variance of Commission Order G‑104‑15A contending that the Panel made an error in fact, and requested a variance to section 6(a) of the Order (Reconsideration Application). Section 6(a) of the Order directed PNG to revise the demand forecast for the residential use per account by using the previous forecast methodology, reducing the revenue deficiency by $42,000;

F.       By letter dated June 25, 2015, the Commission established Phase One of the reconsideration process;

G.     On June 30, 2015, British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO) filed comments on the Reconsideration Application and PNG submitted a response to the BCOAPO comments on July 3, 2015;

H.      On July 21, 2015, the Commission issued Order G-121-15 and attached reasons for decision approving PNG’s application for reconsideration of Order G-104-15A to proceed to Phase Two of the reconsideration process;

I.        On July 28, 2015, PNG submitted a letter requesting Commission approval to withdraw the Reconsideration Application. PNG stated that “it has no interest in prolonging the current process” and does not believe that the additional time and costs would be in the interest of its ratepayers;

J.        The Commission issued Order G-134-15 on August 7, 2015 dismissing the Reconsideration Application;

K.      On August 10, 2015, the Commission received a PACA application from BCOAPO et al., a registered intervener in the proceeding;

L.       Pursuant to the PACA Guidelines, PNG was provided an opportunity to comment on the PACA application from BCOAPO et al. By email dated August 10, 2015, PNG noted that it found the BCOAPO legal counsel and consultant fees to be reasonable; and

M.    The Commission reviewed the PACA application with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines appended to Commission Order G-72-07 and conclude 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 approves:

1.       A Participant Assistance/Cost Award in the following amount with respect to participation in the Pacific

Northern Gas Ltd. Application for Reconsideration of Order G-104-15A No Changes to 2015 Delivery Rates and Changes to the 2015 Revenue Stabilization Adjustment Mechanism Rider for the PNG-West Service Area proceeding as follows:

2.       Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. is directed to reimburse the above noted intervener for the approved award amount in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, In the Province of British Columbia, this        8^th          day of September 2015.

                                                                                                                BY ORDER

Original signed by:

                                                                                                                C. A. Brown

                                                                                                                Commissioner/Panel Chair