IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Energy Inc.
Section 71 Filing of a
GasEDI Base Contract with Citadel NGPE LLC
BEFORE: L. F. Kelsey, Commissioner
K. A. Keilty, Commissioner December 24, 2015
D. M. Morton, Commissioner
H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On July 9, 2015, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission), by Letter L-28-15, accepted FortisBC Energy Inc.’s (FEI) 2015/16 Annual Gas Contracting Plan (Annual Contacting Plan);
B. On December 11, 2015, FEI filed with the Commission a copy of a fully executed GasEDI Base Contract including amendments called “Special Provisions to the GasEDI Contract for Short Term Sale and Purchase of Natural Gas” negotiated between FEI and Citadel NGPE LLC (Contract);
C. FEI uses the GasEDI Base Contract dated October 26, 2000, together with FEI’s standard provisions, as the starting point for negotiations with counterparties with whom FEI wishes to execute off-system sale or purchase agreements. The GasEDI Base Contract and FEI’s standard provisions are set out in Rate Schedule 30 as approved by Commission Order G-197-11 dated November 28, 2011. The GasEDI Base Contract and the special provisions executed with the counterparty form the underlying basis of the contract with the counterparty. Each gas purchase or sale transaction is then confirmed via a transaction confirmation deal sheet described in section 9 of the GasEDI Base Contract;
D. FEI requested that the details of the subject filing be kept confidential due to the commercially sensitive nature of the Contract and to ensure that FEI’s ability to obtain favourable commercial terms for future natural gas contracting is not impaired; and
E. The Commission reviewed the FEI filing and is satisfied that the Contract between FEI and Citadel NGPE LLC is consistent with the Annual Contracting Plan and in the public interest.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to Section 71 of the of the Utilities Commission Act and the British Columbia Utilities Commission’s Rules for Natural Gas Energy Supply Contracts, the Commission accepts the GasEDI Base Contract between FortisBC Energy Inc. and Citadel NGPE LLC for filing. The Commission will keep the Contract confidential as it contains commercially sensitive information.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 24th day of December, 2015.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. M. Morton
Commissioner