IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Inc.
Application for Stepped and Stand-by Rates for Transmission Voltage Customers
BEFORE: L. A. O’Hara, Panel Chair/Commissioner
R. D. Revel, Commissioner May 29, 2015
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On March 28, 2013, FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC) filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for approval of new rates for transmission voltage customers (Original Application) under sections 58‑61 of the Utilities Commission Act;
B. The Original Application requested, among other things, approval for a Rate Schedule 37 Stand-by Service Rate (RS 37) and a determination of the retroactive application of rates to Zellstoff Celgar Limited Partnership (Celgar);
C. The British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, Celgar, International Forest Products Limited, the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization et al.(BCOAPO), the BC Municipal Electric Utilities, and Minister of Energy and Mines registered as interveners, while Tolko Industries Ltd. registered as an interested party;
D. On May 26, 2014, by Order G-67-14, (Stage I Decision) the Commission, among other things, declined to approve RS 37 as proposed in the Original Application but did approve several components of the rate. The Commission directed FortisBC to file a revised RS 37 incorporating the findings in the Stage I Decision and to address certain Celgar specific matters;
E. On June 26, 2014, in compliance with Order G-67-14, FortisBC filed for approval of a revised RS 37 (Revised RS 37 Filing), and by Orders G-81-14, G-118-14, G-154-14, and G-168-14 the Commission established the regulatory timetable for the review of the Revised RS 37 Filing;
F. On March 24, 2015, by Order G-46-15, (Stage II Decision) the Commission approved, subject to the changes directed in the decision, and subject to the RS 37 directed language being workable to FortisBC, the form of RS 37, other than defining the penalty and the conditions under which it will be waived;
G. By Order G-46-15, the Commission provided FortisBC with ten working days to comment on the RS 37 language directed in the Stage II Decision (Language Submission) and established a regulatory timetable for submissions on the penalty component (Penalty Submissions);
H. In accordance with the timetable established in Order G-46-15 and further amended by Commission letters dated March 26 and 27, 2015, the Commission received Penalty Submissions from FortisBC, BCOAPO, and Celgar and a reply from FortisBC. FortisBC filed a Language Submission on April 14, 2015; and
I. In the Stage II Decision the Panel urged FortisBC and Celgar to reach an agreement reflecting the principles outlined in this Stage II Decision. On April 24, 2015, both FortisBC and Celgar advised the Commission by way of letter on the outcome of their negotiations.
NOW THEREFORE the British Columbia Utilities Commission, pursuant to sections 59-61 of the Utilities Commission Act, orders:
1. Effective the date of this order, Rate Schedule 37 Stand-by Service (RS 37) is approved subject to the changes directed in the Decision that is issued concurrently with this order.
2. FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC) is directed to file amended RS 37 tariff sheets within 15 business days of the date of this order.
3. In accordance with the following timetable, the British Columbia
Utilities Commission (Commission) seeks further submissions from FortisBC and Zellstoff
Celgar Limited Partnership (Celgar) on an appropriate
Stand-by Billing Demand for Celgar and to respond to certain Panel questions
regarding Operating Reserve as directed in Section 5.3 of the Decision:
|
FortisBC Submission |
Friday, June 19, 2015 |
|
Celgar Submissions |
Friday, July 3, 2015 |
|
FortisBC Reply Submission |
Friday, July 10, 2015 |
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 29th day of May 2015.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
L. A. O’Hara
Panel Chair/Commissioner