ORDER NUMBER
C-3-16
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.
Application for Approval of the Franchise Agreement between
Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. and the Village of Fraser Lake
BEFORE:
D. M. Morton, Commissioner
H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner
K. A. Keilty, Commissioner
R. D. Revel, Commissioner
on March 17, 2016
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY
WHEREAS:
A. On March 10, 2016, Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for approval of a Franchise Agreement with the Village of Fraser Lake (Municipality) pursuant to section 45(7) of the Utilities Commission Act, and as required under section 2.1(b) of the 1988 Franchise Agreement, effective July 1, 2015, for a term of 21 years (Franchise Agreement);
B. PNG and the Municipality entered into a franchise agreement dated August 13, 1988 (1988 Franchise Agreement). Commission Order C-8-10 approved the 1988 Franchise Agreement. The term of the 1988 Franchise Agreement was set to expire on July 8, 2015;
C. On November 13, 2015, PNG requested Commission approval of the renewal and amendment of the 1988 Franchise Agreement between PNG and the Municipality (Renewal and Amendment);
D. On February 1, 2016, the Municipality submitted a letter to the Commission that included the Franchise Agreement as replacement for the previously executed Renewal and Amendment. The Franchise Agreement updates legislative references and substantively incorporates the amendments proposed in the Renewal and Amendment;
E. The Franchise Agreement was duly executed by both the Municipality and PNG on February 1, 2016, the date of the Municipality’s submission to the Commission; and
F. The Commission reviewed the Application and considers that approval is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 45(7) of the Utilities Commission Act, the British Columbia Utilities Commission approves the Franchise Agreement between Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. and the Village of Fraser Lake as filed.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 17th day March 2016.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. M. Morton
Commissioner