ORDER NUMBER
G-139-19
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.
Application for Approval of Franchise Agreements Renewed by Notice of Renewal
Issued in Fall 2010 and Spring 2011
BEFORE:
R. I. Mason, Panel Chair
T. A. Loski, Commissioner
on June 24, 2019
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On February 19, 2019, Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval of franchise agreements renewed by notice of renewal in 2010 and 2011, between PNG and the District of Port Edward; the Town of Smithers; the District of Kitimat; the Village of Burns Lake; the District of Houston; the City of Terrace; and the District of Vanderhoof (the Municipalities) (Application);
B. The original agreements between PNG and the Municipalities were accepted by the BCUC through Orders C-3-89 and C5-90 through C-10-90 and expired between 2010 and 2011;
C. PNG sent notice of renewal to each of the seven Municipalities in between Fall 2010 and Spring 2011, but did not seek BCUC approval of the renewal notices at that time; and
D. The Panel has reviewed the Application and considers that a public hearing process is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE under section 23(1)(g) of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. A public hearing process and a regulatory timetable is established, as set out in Appendix A to this order.
2. PNG is directed to publish, no later than Friday, July 12, 2019, on their website and in display-ad format, the Public Notice attached as Appendix B to this order. Publication should be in such appropriate news publications as may properly provide adequate notice to PNG customers in the Municipalities.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 24th day of June 2019.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
R. I. Mason
Commissioner
Attachment
Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.
Application for Approval of Franchise Agreements Renewed by Notice of Renewal
Issued in Fall 2010 and Spring 2011
REGULATORY TIMETABLE
| Action |
Date (2019) |
| PNG Notice to customers in the affected Municipalities |
Friday, July 12 |
| Intervener registration and deadline for letters of comment |
Friday, July 26 |
| Further Process |
To be determined |
FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN VARIOUS MUNICIPALITIES AND PNG
On February 19, 2019, Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval of franchise agreements with the District of Port Edward; the Town of Smithers; the District of Kitimat; the Village of Burns Lake; the District of Houston; the City of Terrace; and the District of Vanderhoof. The franchise agreements outline the terms of administering and operating gas distribution facilities within the various municipalities.
More information on the application can be found at bcuc.com on our “Current Proceedings” page, a hard copy of the application is also available for review at the BCUC’s office and PNG’s head office.
| HOW TO PARTICIPATE
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IMPORTANT DATES
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For more information on how to participate, please visit our website (www.bcuc.com/get-involved) or contact us at the information below.
All submissions will be added to the public record and posted on the BCUC’s website.
| GET MORE INFORMATION |
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| Pacific Northern Gas Ltd |
British Columbia Utilities Commission |
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2550 - 1066 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6E 3X2 |
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Suite 410, 900 Howe Street |
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E: votto@png.ca |
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E: Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com |
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P: 604.691.5680 |
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P: 604.660.4700 |