Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

Application for Participant Assistance/Cost Award

in the Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.

Application for 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, Panel Chair/Commissioner

                                K. A. Keilty, Commissioner                                           July 31, 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 for the PNG-West Service Area (Original Application). The Original Application requested, among other things, approval to maintain the current 2014 delivery rates approved by Order G-87-14 on a permanent basis, effective January 1, 2015;

C.      On December 12, 2014, Commission Order G-195-14 approved the retention of the current delivery charge component of customer rates, and the change to the RSAM rate rider as set forth in the Original Application on an interim and refundable basis, effective January 1, 2015, and established a preliminary Regulatory Timetable;

D.      On January 12, 2015, the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization, Active Support Against Poverty, Disability Alliance BC, Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC, and the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (BCOAPO et al.) registered as the sole intervener in the proceeding;

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

F.       In the Application, PNG stated that a simplified regulatory process would be the most efficient process for the review of the Application;

G.     On March 30, 2015, the Commission invited interveners to make submissions regarding regulatory process, including whether there is sufficient evidence on the record concerning PNG’s 2015 revenue requirement forecast or whether a round of information requests is required. Interveners were invited to make submissions by Tuesday, April 7, 2015 and PNG to file its reply submission by Tuesday, April 14, 2015;

H.      On April 28, 2015, Commission Order G-66-15 amended the Regulatory Timetable established by Order G‑195‑14, and established a Streamlined Review Process (SRP) for the review of the Application. The SRP was held on June 3, 2015;

I.        By Order G-104-15A, on June 18, 2015, the Commission approved, among other things, the current 2014 delivery rates approved by Order G-87-14 on a permanent basis, effective January 1, 2015;

J.        On June 18, 2015, the Commission received a PACA application from BCOAPO et al., a registered intervener in the proceeding;

K.      Pursuant to the PACA Guidelines, PNG was provided an opportunity to comment on the PACA application from BCOAPO et al. By email dated June 18, 2015, PNG noted that it found the fees and expenses to be reasonable; and

L.       The Commission has reviewed the PACA application and comments from PNG with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines appended to Commission Order G-72-07 and conclude that PACA funding should be awarded.

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

1.       Participant Assistance/Cost Awards in the following amount with respect to participation in the Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. Application for Approval of the 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                 31st                  day of July 2015.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                            Original Signed By:

                                                                                                                                C. A. Brown

                                                                                                                                Commissioner