ORDER NUMBER
F-31-16
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Energy Inc.
Annual Review for 2017 Delivery Rates
Application for Participant Assistance/Cost Awards
BEFORE:
D.J. Enns, Panel Chair/Commissioner
B.A. Magnan, Commissioner
on December 15, 2016
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On July 28, 2016 pursuant to Order G-122-16, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) established the regulatory timetable for the FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) Annual Review for 2017 Delivery Rates proceeding, which included the anticipated date for FEI to file its annual review materials, intervener registration, one round of information requests, a workshop, FEI’s response to workshop undertakings, and written final and reply arguments;
B. On August 2, 2016, FEI submitted its Annual Review for 2017 Delivery Rates materials (Application);
C. The following participants filed Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) applications with the Commission with respect to their participation in the proceeding:
|
Date |
Participant |
Application |
|
November 15, 2016 |
BC Sustainable Energy Association and Sierra Club of BC |
$6,451.20 |
|
November 16, 2016 |
British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. |
$10,940.05 |
|
November 21, 2016 |
Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia |
$12,015.95 |
D. By Order G-182-16 and accompanying Reasons for Decision dated December 7, 2016, the Commission approved, among other things, FEI’s application to maintain 2017 delivery rates at the approved 2016 levels, before consideration of rate riders, effective January 1, 2017;
E. By letter dated December 14, 2016, FEI provided its comments on the PACA applications, stating that so long as the Commission has no concerns with the time identified or the amounts applied for, FEI had no comment; and
F. The Commission has reviewed the PACA applications 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 awards should be approved.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:
1. Funding is awarded to the following interveners in the listed amounts for their participation in the FortisBC Energy Inc. Annual Review for 2017 Delivery Rates proceeding:
|
Participant |
Award |
|
BC Sustainable Energy Association and Sierra Club of BC |
$6,451.20 |
|
British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. |
$10,940.05 |
|
Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia |
$12,015.95 |
2. FortisBC Energy Inc. is directed to reimburse the above-noted participants for the awarded amounts in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 15th day of December, 2016.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. J. Enns
Commissioner