Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

Applications for Participant Assistance/Cost Awards

in the FortisBC Energy Inc.

Annual Review of 2016 Delivery Rates

BEFORE:               H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner/Panel Chair

                                D. A. Cote, Commissioner                                            January 14, 2016

                                D. M. Morton, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On August 20, 2015, the regulatory timetable for the FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) Annual Review of 2016 Delivery Rates was established by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) pursuant to Order G-138-15 and included, among other things, an anticipated date of September 4, 2015 for FEI to file its 2016 Annual Review materials;

B.      On September 3, 2015, FEI submitted its Annual Review of 2016 Delivery Rates Application (Application);

C.      The Application review process included one round of information requests, a workshop to review FEI’s 2015 performance results and the 2016 revenue requirements, a response by FEI to undertakings arising from information requested at the workshop, and written final and reply submissions;

D.      By Order G-193-15 dated December 7, 2015, with Reasons for Decision to follow, the Commission approved, among other things, interim delivery rates for all of FEI’s non-bypass customers effective January 1, 2016, as modified by the directives in the order;

E.       On December 21, 2015, the Commission issued the Reasons for Decision to accompany Order G-193-15;

F.       Between November 24, 2015 and December 9, 2015, the Commission received Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) applications from the following interveners:

•         BC Sustainable Energy Association and the Sierra Club of British Columbia;

•         British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization, et al; and

•         Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia;

G.     By letter dated January 6, 2016, FEI provided its comments on the PACA applications; and

H.      The Commission has reviewed the PACA applications and comments from FEI with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines and concludes that PACA funding should be awarded.

NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the British Columbia Utilities Commission approves:

1.       Participant Assistance Cost Awards in the following amounts with respect to their participation in the FortisBC Energy Inc. Annual Review of 2016 Delivery Rates:

2.       FortisBC Energy Inc. is directed to reimburse the above participants for the respective amounts that have been awarded in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this         14^th              day of January 2016.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

 Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                H. G. Harowitz

Commissioner