ORDER NUMBER
G-187-16
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Energy Inc.
Rate Schedule 46 – Liquefied Natural Gas Sales, Dispensing and Transportation Service
Application for Interim Rates
BEFORE:
D. M. Morton, Commissioner
H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner
M. Kresivo, Commissioner
R. I. Mason, Commissioner
R. D. Revel, Commissioner
on December 15, 2016
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On November 28, 2016, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission), pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), for the existing Rate Schedule 46 Table of Charges for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Transportation Service and Table of Charges for LNG Service (collectively the Tables of Charges) to be made interim, effective January 1, 2017 (Application);
B. On November 28, 2013, the Province of British Columbia deposited Order in Council No. 557, dated November 27, 2013, as B.C. Regulation 245/2013, Special Direction No. 5 to the Commission;
C. Certain charges contained in the Tables of Charges are to be reviewed on an annual basis and adjusted as required, using the greater of two percent or the British Columbia Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for the period of November of the prior year to November of the current year. However, this information is not available until late December 2016;
D. Due to the timing of the November British Columbia CPI data, FEI is unable to calculate revisions to the Rate Schedule 46 rate and prepare the revised tariff pages for Commission endorsement prior to the January 1, 2017 effective date; and
E. The Commission reviewed FEI’s Application and finds that approval of the Application is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE the British Columbia Utilities Commission, pursuant to Special Direction No. 5 and section 89 of the Utilities Commission Act, orders as follows:
1. FortisBC Energy Inc.’s existing Rate Schedule 46 Table of Charges for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Transportation Service and Table of Charges for LNG Service, are made interim, effective January 1, 2017.
2. FortisBC Energy Inc. must file an application for permanent rates on or before January 31, 2017.
3. Any variance between the interim rates and the permanent rates as determined by the Commission are subject to refund/recovery, with interest at the average prime rate of FortisBC Energy Inc.’s principal bank for its most recent year.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 15th day of December 2016.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. M. Morton
Commissioner