ORDER NUMBER
E-12-16
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.
Filing of a Gas Storage Contract with Tenaska Marketing Canada
BEFORE:
D. M. Morton, Commissioner
D. J. Enns, Commissioner
W. M. Everett, Commissioner
H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner
R. I. Mason, Commissioner
R. D. Revel, Commissioner
on July 14, 2016
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On April 19, 2016, Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) filed a three-year a gas storage contract (Storage Contract) with Tenaska Marketing Canada (Tenaska) for acceptance by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission);
B. On July 23, 2015, the Commission issued Letter L-9-15 accepting the PNG 2015-2016 annual contracting plan (ACP) as being in the public interest. The ACP contemplated PNG entering into the subject Storage Contract;
C. PNG requests that the Storage Contract and the information contained in the Filing be held confidential on the basis they contain market-sensitive information, the disclosure of which may adversely affect its ability to secure the most competitively-priced gas supply in the future;
D. On May 18, 2016, PNG submitted its response to Commission staff questions; and
E. The Commission reviewed the filing, the Storage Contract and the responses to staff questions, and is satisfied the Storage Contract is consistent with the 2015/16 ACP, is in the public interest, and that the details of the Storage Contract and the associated information should be held confidential.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 71 of the Utilities Commission Act and the British Columbia Utilities Commission’s Rules for Natural Gas Energy Supply Contracts:
1. The Commission accepts the three year Storage Contract between Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. and Tenaska Marketing Canada as being in the public interest.
2. The Commission will keep the filing, the Storage Contract and associated information confidential as requested by Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. as they contain commercially sensitive information.
3. Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. is directed to include in its 2017-2018 annual contracting plan and two subsequent annual contracting plans, an analysis of the performance of the Storage Contract and related transportation and gas purchase arrangements to date together with an updated evaluation of the projected value of the Storage Contract for the remaining term of the Storage Contract.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 15th day of July 2016.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. M. Morton
Commissioner