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 September 22, 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 Non-Embedded Cost Power Rate Rider Rate, a Stand-by Service Rate (RS 37) and a determination of the retroactive application of rates to Zellstoff Celgar Limited Partnership (Celgar);
C. The following participants registered as interveners in the proceeding: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, Celgar, International Forest Products Limited, British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization et al., BC Municipal Electric Utilities, and the Minister of Energy and Mines. Tolko Industries Ltd. registered as an interested party;
D. Effective May, 29, 2015, the Commission approved RS 37 in stages by way of: Order G-67-14 (Stage I) dated May 26, 2014; Order G-46-15 (Stage II) dated March 24, 2015; and Order G-93-15 (Stage III) dated May 29, 2015; and
E. By Order G-93-15, the Commission also sought further submissions from FortisBC and Celgar on an appropriate Stand-by Billing Demand for Celgar, and to respond to certain Panel questions regarding operating reserves.
NOW THEREFORE for the reasons articulated in the Decision issued concurrently with this order, the British Columbia Utilities Commission orders:
1. Zellstoff Celgar Limited Partnership’s (Celgar) Stand-by Billing Demand is to be set at 40 percent of the Stand-by Demand Limit. On the basis of a Stand-by Demand Limit of 42 MVA, Celgar’s Stand-by Billing Demand is 16.8 MVA.
2. In accordance with the following timetable, the Commission seeks further submissions from FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC), and registered interveners on how best to proceed with FortisBC’s request for approval of the Non-Embedded Cost Power Rate Rider and the related evidence on the record in this proceeding:
|
FortisBC Submission |
Tuesday, September 29, 2015 |
|
Intervener Submissions |
Tuesday, October 6, 2015 |
|
FortisBC Reply Submission |
Wednesday, October 14, 2015 |
3. FortisBC and Celgar are directed to attempt to negotiate an agreement on the retroactive application of rates.
4. Within 30 days of the date of this order FortisBC is directed to either file with the Commission for approval a retroactive billing agreement or, in the event that an agreement cannot be reached, its proposal for the retroactive application of rates to Celgar.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 22nd day of September 2015.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
L. A. O’Hara
Panel Chair/Commissioner