IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
Corix Multi Utility Services Inc.
Stream A Thermal Energy System Registration for the Sun Rivers Resort Community
Belmonte Central Energy Plant Thermal Energy System
BEFORE: L. F. Kelsey, Commissioner
C. A. Brown, Commissioner
H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner June 18, 2015
K. A. Keilty, Commissioner
D. M. Morton, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On February 12, 2015, a resident of Sun Rivers Resort Community submitted a complaint to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) regarding a high geothermal bill from Corix Multi Utility Services Inc. (Corix);
B. On March 2, 2015, the Commission issued a letter (Log No. 49529) requesting Corix address the concerns of the Sun Rivers resident and to file the relevant evidence to support Sun Rivers’ thermal energy system (TES) status. Corix clarified Sun Rivers’ TES status in accordance with the TES Guidelines and advised that where its geo-exchange services consisted only of discrete services to individual customers, and do not exceed the Micro TES Exemption threshold under the TES Guidelines, such operations were exempt. However, its larger systems serving multi-family complexes, which exceed the micro exemption threshold, should be registered as Stream A TES;
C. On March 9 and March 16, 2015, the complainant and Corix replied to the Commission, respectively, informing the Commission that the complaint had been resolved;
D. On April 2, 2015, Corix submitted one Stream A application form for GSX, Talasa and Belmonte; three TES systems with one common rate structure. Corix was informed that as each system runs independently and sits within an independent site, each TES application should be submitted independently. By filing the TES systems individually GSX was eliminated as a Stream A, as this system fell below the Stream A TES threshold and met the criteria of a Micro TES, thus not requiring registration;
E. On June 2, 2015, Corix filed two Stream A TES registration forms, one for the Belmonte Central Energy Plant, and one for Talasa Central Energy Plant; and
F. The Commission reviewed the application and are satisfied Belmonte Central Energy Plant TES meets the characteristics of a Stream A TES and is suitable for exemption from sections 44.1, 45-46, and 59-61 of the Utilities Commission Act.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 88(3) of the Utilities Commission Act, and by the advance approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council (OIC 400) the British Columbia Utilities Commission orders as follows:
1. In accordance with the Thermal Energy Systems (TES) Guidelines the Belmonte Central Energy Plant Thermal Energy System is exempt from sections 44.1, 45-46, and 59-61 of the Utilities Commission Act.
2. Corix Multi Utility Services Inc. must file with the Commission, an annual report for the Belmonte Central Energy Plant TES project in accordance with Stream A annual reporting guidelines as provided in Appendix B of the TES Guidelines, with the first report to be filed on or before February 15, 2016.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, In the Province of British Columbia, this 23rd day of June 2015.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. Morton
Commissioner