Orders

ORDER NUMBER

F-15-17

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Supply Chain Applications Project Application

BEFORE:

D. A. Cote, Panel Chair/Commissioner

M. Kresivo, Q.C., Commissioner

R. I. Mason, Commissioner

on November 23, 2017

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On December 21, 2016, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed, pursuant to section 44.2(1)(b) of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), a Supply Chain Applications Project application and related statement of capital expenditures with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission), requesting acceptance of a portion of the capital expenditures pursuant to section 44.2(3)(a) of the UCA (Application);

B.      BC Hydro proposed that the Supply Chain Applications Project be reviewed in a two-phase regulatory process, which in combination will lead to the acceptance of the estimated range of Supply Chain Applications Project capital costs as being in the public interest;

C.      By Order G-4-17 dated January 13, 2017, the Commission established a regulatory timetable to review the Application which was further updated by Orders G-32-17 on March 17, 2017, G-53-17 on April 10, 2017, and G-78-17 on May 18, 2017;

D.      The review of the Application included one procedural conference, two rounds of information requests, a process for intervener evidence, an option for BC Hydro to submit rebuttal evidence, and written final and reply submissions;

E.       On October 19, 2017, by Order G-158-17, with decision issued concurrently, the Commission accepted and found capital expenditures ranging from $22.5 million to $29.7 million required to complete work up to the end of the Definition Phase of the Supply Chain Applications Project, to be in the public interest;

F.       The following participants filed Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) applications with the Commission with respect to their participation in the proceeding:

G.      By letter dated October 16, 2017, BC Hydro provided its comments on the PACA applications, stating that it believes the applications are consistent with the Commission’s PACA Guidelines, the participation of the applicants generally contributed to a better understanding of the Application materials and issues for all parties, and BC Hydro leaves it to the Commission’s discretion as to the level of cost award to be made;

H.      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-143-16, and conclude 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 BC Hydro Supply Chain Applications Project Application proceeding:

2.       BC Hydro is directed to reimburse the above-noted participants for the awarded amount in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this            23^rd          day of November, 2017.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

D. A. Cote

Commissioner