Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-106-17

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

Stargas Utilities Ltd.

Application to Amend Rate Schedule and Accounting for Installation Costs

 BEFORE:

R. I. Mason, Commissioner

on July 11, 2017

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On June 28, 2017, Stargas Utilities Ltd. (Stargas) filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for approval to, among other things, amend the terms and conditions of its tariff regarding new service installation costs (Application);

B.      The Commission has commenced review of the Application and considers that the establishment of a public hearing and regulatory timetable is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:

1.       A regulatory timetable for the review of the Application is established, as set out in Appendix A to this order.

2.       Stargas is directed to provide written notice of the Application to all customers, and a copy of the Public Notice attached as Appendix B to this order to all other parties who may have an interest in or be affected by the Application, by Monday, July 17, 2017. Stargas is also directed to inform the Commission once this notice has been provided and to identify the parties which have been informed.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this       11^th         day of July 2017.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

R. I. Mason

Commissioner

Attachments

Stargas Utilities Ltd.

Application to Amend Rate Schedule and Accounting for Installation Costs

The BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) encourages existing and potential customers of Stargas Utilities Ltd. (Stargas) to participate in its review of Stargas’ application regarding new service installation costs. Currently, new customers pay 100% of the cost to install a meter and connection to Stargas, which totals $1,700 (plus 10% markup) for a typical residential line. Stargas submits potential customers do not sign up for service as the installation costs are too high. Stargas argues it would be beneficial for both the utility and its customers if more customers signed up for service. Stargas therefore proposes to charge new customers the cost of the meter only, possibly at a reduced rate, and to recover the remaining costs from all customers over time through rates. Please see below for information on how to participate in the BCUC’s review of the application.

For more information, or to find the forms for any of the options above, please visit our website or contact us at the information below.

www.bcuc.com/RegisterIndex.aspx

All submissions received, including letters of comment, are placed on the public record, posted on the Commission’s website and provided to the Panel and all participants in the proceeding