Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473

and

FortisBC Energy Inc. Customer Choice Program

Seventh Annual General Meeting

Participant Assistance/Cost Award Funding

BEFORE:               D. A. Cote, Commissioner

                                H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner                                    September 28, 2015

                                I. F. MacPhail, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) obtained approval from the Commission in 2006 for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the Commodity Unbundling Project for Residential Customers (Customer Choice) in accordance with the government’s 2002 energy policy which would allow for unbundling of natural gas through gas marketing companies licensed by the Commission;

B.      On June 9, 2015, the seventh Customer Choice Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held to discuss the concerns and suggestions of interested parties. Participants included representatives of FEI, the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO), gas marketers and Commission staff;

C.      On August 17, 2015, the British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre, on behalf of its client BCOAPO, applied for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) funding with regard to its participation in the written process leading up to and following the AGM and preparation for and attendance at the AGM;

D.      On September 22, 2015, FEI advised the Commission it has no comment on the PACA amount BCOAPO submitted; and

E.       The Commission reviewed the PACA application with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines and is satisfied approval is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act the Commission orders as follows:

1.       The British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. is awarded funds in the requested amount of $6,831.04 with respect to its participation in the seventh Customer Choice Annual General Meeting process.

2.       FortisBC Energy Inc. is to reimburse the Applicant the amount awarded in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, In the Province of British Columbia, this           28^th           day of September 2015.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                                Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                D. A. Cote

                                                                                                                                Commissioner