ORDER NUMBER
F-21-16
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd.
2016-2017 Revenue Requirements Application
for the PNG (N.E.) Service Area
Application for Participant Assistance/Cost Awards
BEFORE:
K. A. Keilty, Panel Chair/Commissioner
H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner
R. D. Revel, Commissioner
on August 19, 2016
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On November 30, 2015, Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. [PNG (N.E.)] filed its 2016-2017 Revenue Requirements Application (RRA) with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for the Fort St. John/Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge divisions pursuant to sections 58 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act seeking, among other things, approval to increase 2016 delivery rates (Applications);
B. By Order G-208-15 dated December 18, 2015, the Commission approved the delivery rates and the Rate Stabilization Adjustment Mechanism riders set forth in the Applications on an interim and refundable basis, effective January 1, 2016. The Commission also established a preliminary regulatory timetable, including a procedural conference on January 29, 2016;
C. By Order G-14-16 dated February 4, 2016, the Commission established a written public hearing process and amended the Regulatory Timetable to direct PNG (N.E.) to file its updated applications on February 29, 2016, followed by two rounds of Commission and intervener information requests and written final and reply arguments;
D. On July 6, 2016, the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. filed a Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) application with the Commission in the amount of $9,177.76 regarding its participation in the PNG (N.E.) 2016-2017 RRA proceeding;
E. By Order G-132-16 and accompanying Reasons for Decision dated August 10, 2016, the Commission approved, among other things, 2016 and 2017 permanent delivery rate increases for the PNG (N.E.)-Fort St. John/Dawson Creek and PNG (N.E.)-Tumbler Ridge service areas;
F. On August 11, 2016, PNG (N.E.) submitted its comments on the PACA application stating that it finds the expenses to be reasonable; and
G. The Commission has reviewed the PACA application in accordance with the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines, attached to Commission Order G-72-07, and concludes that the cost award should be approved.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the British Columbia Utilities Commission orders as follows:
1. Funding is awarded to the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. in the amount of $9,177.76 for its participation in the Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. 2016-2017 Revenue Requirements Application proceeding.
2. Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. is directed to reimburse the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. for the awarded amount in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 19th day of August 2016.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
K. A. Keilty
Commissioner