Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

Applications for Participant Assistance/Cost Awards

in the Application by FortisBC Inc. for Approval of 2015 Rates

pursuant to the Multi-Year Performance Based Ratemaking Plan

approved for 2014 through 2019 by Order G-138-14

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

                                D. A. Cote, Commissioner                                                            July 15, 2015

                                H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On September 15, 2014, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) issued its Decision and Order G-139-14 approving for FortisBC Inc. (FBC) a Multi-Year Performance Based Ratemaking (PBR) Plan for the years 2014 through 2019 (PBR Decision). In accordance with the PBR Decision, FBC is to conduct an Annual Review process to set rates for each year under the PBR Plan;

B.      On February 6, 2015, FBC submitted an application for its Annual Review of 2015 Rates (Application);

C.      Pursuant to Order G-21-15 issued on February 16, 2015, the Commission established the Regulatory Timetable for the review of the Application which provided for one round of information requests, a workshop to review FBC’s 2014 performance results and the 2015 revenue requirements, a response by FBC to undertakings arising from information requested at the workshop, and written final and reply submissions;

D.      By Order G-107-15 dated June 23, 2015, which accompanied the decision for this Application, the Commission approved, among other things, permanent rates effective January 1, 2015, as modified by other directives in the Decision;

E.       Between May 16, 2015 and May 22, 2015, the Commission received Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) applications from the following interveners:

•         The British Columbia Old Age Pensioners Organization et al.;

•         Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia;

•         Industrial Customers Group; and

•         BC Sustainable Energy Association and the Sierra Club of British Columbia;

F.       By letter dated May 28, 2015 to the Commission, FBC provided its comments on the PACA applications, stating that provided the Commission had no concerns with the time identified or the amounts applied for by the interveners, FBC had no comment; and

G.     The Commission has reviewed the PACA applications in accordance with the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines to Commission Order G-72-07 and conclude that the cost awards should be approved.

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

1.       Funding is awarded to the following interveners for their participation in the FortisBC Inc. Annual Review and Approval of 2015 Rates proceeding:

2.       FortisBC Inc. 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                 15^th                 day of July 2015.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                                Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                D. M. Morton

Commissioner