IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd.
Application for Acceptance of the 2015 Resource Plan
for the Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge Distribution Systems
BEFORE: B. A. Magnan, Panel Chair/Commissioner
H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner September 30, 2015
I. F. MacPhail, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On April 8, 2014, Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) filed its resource plan for its PNG-West pipeline system (PNG-West 2014 Resource Plan) and the resubmission of the Demand-Side Management (DSM) portion of the 2012 Resource Plan for the Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge distribution pipeline systems [PNG(N.E.) DSM Resubmission] with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) pursuant to section 44.1 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) and in accordance with Commission Order G-60-13;
B. On September 16, 2014, by way of Commission Order G-140-14, the Commission accepted the resubmission of the DSM part of the 2012 Resource Plan for the PNG(N.E.) pipeline systems to be in the public interest pursuant to subsection 44.1(6) of the UCA, subject to discussions and determinations contained in the Reasons for Decision attached as Appendix A to Order G‑140-14;
C. On April 17, 2015, PNG(N.E.) filed its 2015 Resource Plan application for the Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge distribution systems (2015 Resource Plan) pursuant to section 44.1 of the UCA, for acceptance by the Commission. PNG(N.E.) is not seeking approval of any particular elements identified within the plan;
D. PNG(N.E.) provided a copy of its 2015 Resource Plan to the parties who registered as interveners in the PNG-West 2014 Resource Plan for the PNG-West Pipeline System and PNG(N.E.) Resubmission of the DSM Portion of the 2012 Resource Plan and Load Forecast Update for the PNG(N.E.) Pipeline Systems proceeding;
E. By Order G-67-15 dated April 29, 2015, the Commission established a written hearing process and a Regulatory Timetable with one round of information requests (IRs) to review the PNG(N.E.) 2015 Resource Plan;
F. The British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO) and the District of Tumbler Ridge registered as interveners, and FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) registered as an interested party;
G. The District of Tumbler Ridge submitted comments on May 15, 2015, but did not submit IRs or a final argument;
H. During the course of the proceeding, PNG(N.E.) responded to one round of IRs from the Commission and BCOAPO;
I. On July 2, 2015, PNG(N.E.) submitted its final argument, in which it submits that the PNG(N.E.) 2015 Resource Plan meets the requirements of the UCA and should be accepted as filed pursuant to section 44.1(6) of the UCA;
J. Subsequently, BCOAPO submitted its final argument on July 10, 2015;
K. On July 16, 2015, PNG(N.E.) submitted its reply argument; and
L. The Commission has reviewed PNG(N.E.)’s 2015 Resource Plan and the evidence submitted through the review process.
NOW THEREFORE for the reasons set out in the decision accompanying this order:
1. The British Columbia Utilities Commission accepts the Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. 2015 Resource Plan to be in the public interest pursuant to subsection 44.1(6) of the Utilities Commission Act, subject to discussions and determinations contained in the decision accompanying this order.
2. The Commission directs PNG(N.E.) to comply with all determinations and directives contained in the decision accompanying this order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 30th day of September 2015.
BY ORDER
Original Signed By:
B. A. Magnan
Panel Chair/Commissioner