Via Email
gas.regulatory.affairs@fortisbc.com July 31, 2015
Ms. Diane Roy
Director, Regulatory Affairs – Gas
FortisBC Energy Inc.
16705 Fraser Highway
Surrey, BC V4N 0E8
Dear Ms. Roy:
Re: FortisBC Energy Inc.
Annual Review of 2016 Delivery Rates, Forecasting Directives
Request for Extension
On May 27, 2015, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) issued its decision and accompanying Order G-86-15 regarding the FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) Annual Review of 2015 Delivery Rates Application. As part of the Decision, the Commission directed FEI to analyze and develop alternative methodologies for forecasting residential and commercial use per customer amounts as well as commercial customer additions. The Commission directed FEI to file this information as part of its upcoming annual review of 2016 delivery rates application.
On July 10, 2015, FEI filed a letter with the Commission requesting approval to extend the filing deadline to April 30, 2016 due to the scope of the work identified by FEI to comply with the Commission’s directives. FEI states in its letter that that it does not believe an extension of the filing deadline will create undue harm to any of its stakeholders.
The Commission reviewed FEI’s extension request, including FEI’s description of the scope of the work to be performed and the estimated time required to complete the work, and considers an extension to be reasonable. However, subsequent to FEI’s filing of its extension request, Commission staff met with FEI to discuss FEI’s proposed process and scope for addressing the load forecasting methodology directives. Based on this discussion, the Commission finds it appropriate for FEI to file its final report on alternative load forecasting methodologies, including FEI’s proposed course of action, as part of the annual review of 2017 delivery rates application in September 2016. In addition, the Commission requests that FEI file a progress report with the Commission by April 30, 2016.
Yours truly,
Erica Hamilton
SW/dg