Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-21-16

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

Superior Propane

Rate Application for Seascapes Grid System

BEFORE:

H. G. Harowitz

on February 23, 2016

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On August 7, 2015, by way of Order G-133-15, Superior Propane was defined as a public utility as per section 1 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for its operations at the Seascapes Development and its current rates were approved as interim effective August 7, 2015, with the difference between the interim rate and permanent rate subject to adjustment with short-term interest;

B.      By way of Order G-133-15, Superior Propane was also directed to file with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) an application for approval of rates or a rate methodology for its utility service within 30 days of the order, and a tariff binder including terms and conditions of service and a schedule of fees within 45 days of the order, pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the UCA;

C.      On November 24, 2015, Superior Propane requested the filing deadline be extended to December 11, 2015, which was granted by the Commission by way of letter dated November 24, 2015;

D.      Superior Propane filed an Application on December 11, 2015 and by way of letter dated December 18, 2015, withdrew its application and requested an extension to refile the application with additional information on February 17, 2016, which was granted by the Commission by way of letter dated December 21, 2015;

E.       On February 17, 2016, Superior Propane filed with the Commission a rate application for the Seascapes grid system seeking approval of its tariff and changes to its rate schedule (Application);

F.       In the Application, Superior Propane requests approval to change its basic charge and facility fee; and

G.     The Commission considers establishing a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application through a written proceeding is necessary and in the public interest.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:

1.       Superior Propane’s Application will be reviewed by way of a written hearing process in accordance with the Regulatory Timetable attached as Appendix A to this order. The Commission will establish the remainder of the Regulatory Timetable upon consideration of the utility’s responses to the first round of information requests.

2.       Superior Propane must provide by Tuesday, March 1, 2016, a Public Notice of the written proceeding, attached as Appendix B to this order, to all residents of the Seascapes Development.

3.       The Application and supporting materials must be made available for inspection at Superior Propane, 10128 Nordel Court, Burnaby, BC, V4G 1J7 and at the British Columbia Utilities Commission office at Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2N3 and through the Commission’s website at www.bcuc.com.

4.       Interveners who wish to participate in the regulatory proceeding are to register with the Commission by completing a Request to Intervene Form, available on the Commission’s website at http://www.bcuc.com/Registration-Intervener-1.aspx, by the date established in the Regulatory Timetable attached as Appendix A to this order and in accordance with the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this           23rd              day of February 2016.

BY ORDER

Original Signed By:

H. G. Harowitz

Commissioner

Attachments

Superior Propane

Rate Application for Seascapes Grid System

REGULATORY TIMETABLE

Public Notice of Superior Propane Rate Application for Seascapes Grid System

On August 7, 2015, by way of Order G-133-15, Superior Propane was directed to file with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) an application for approval of rates or a rate methodology for its utility service of the Seascapes grid system (Seascapes). On the same date, the current rates at Seascapes were approved as interim, subject to adjustment with short-term interest. On February 17, 2016, Superior Propane filed with the Commission a rate application for its Seascapes grid system to request approval of its tariff and changes to its basic charge and facility fee (Application).

How to get involved

Persons who are directly or sufficiently affected by the Commission’s decision or have relevant information or expertise and that wish to actively participate in the proceeding can request intervener status by submitting a completed Request to Intervene Form by Thursday, March 10, 2016. Forms are available on the Commission’s website at www.bcuc.com. Interveners will receive notification of all non-confidential correspondence and filed documentation, and should provide an email address if available.

Persons not expecting to participate, but who have an interest in the proceeding, should register as interested parties through the Commission’s website. Interested parties receive electronic notice of submissions and the decision when it is released.

Letters of comment may also be submitted using the Letter of Comment Form found online at www.bcuc.com. By participating and/or providing comment on the application, you agree to your comments being placed on the public record and posted on the Commission’s website. All submissions and/or correspondence received, including letters of comment are placed on the public record, posted on the Commission’s website, and provided to the Panel and all participants in the proceeding.

For more information about becoming involved in a Commission proceeding please see the Rules of Practice and Procedure available at www.bcuc.com. Alternatively, persons can request a copy of the Rules of Practice and Procedure in writing. All forms are available on the Commission’s website or can be requested in writing.

View the application

The application and all supporting documentation are available on the Commission’s website on the “Current Applications” page. If you would like to review the material in hard copy, it is available to be viewed at the locations below:

For more information please contact Laurel Ross, Acting Commission Secretary, using the contact information above.