ORDER NUMBER
C-1-18
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Energy Inc.
Application for Approval of an Operating Agreement between
the Corporation of the Village of Salmo and FortisBC Energy Inc.
BEFORE:
H. G. Harowitz, Commissioner
A. K. Fung, QC, Commissioner
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
R. I. Mason, Commissioner
R. D. Revel, Commissioner
on March 1, 2018
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY
WHEREAS:
A. On January 10, 2018, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for approval of the Operating Agreement (Operating Agreement) between the Corporation of the Village of Salmo (Municipality) and FEI (Application) pursuant to section 45 of the Utilities Commission Act;
B. FEI (formerly BC Gas Inc. and Terasen Gas Inc.) and the Municipality entered into a Franchise Agreement, dated October 10, 1995 (Franchise Agreement). On April 18, 1996, Commission Order C-5-96 approved a Franchise Agreement covering the period June 6, 1995 to September 18, 2005 (Primary Term) and continuing from year-to-year thereafter, but not longer than 21 years;
C. The term of the Franchise Agreement expired on September 18, 2016;
D. On March 2, 2017, by Order C-2-17, the Commission approved an Amending Agreement, extending the terms and conditions of the Franchise Agreement to December 31, 2017;
E. On January 1, 2018, FEI and the Municipality signed a new Operating Agreement; and
F. The Commission has reviewed the Application and determines that the Operating Agreement is necessary for the public convenience and is in the public interest.
NOW THEREFORE the British Columbia Utilities Commission, pursuant to section 45 of the Utilities Commission Act, approves the Operating Agreement dated January 1, 2018, between the Corporation of the Village of Salmo and FortisBC Energy Inc. as filed.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 1st day March 2018.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
H. G. Harowitz
Commissioner