ORDER NUMBER
G-300-19
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Transmission Service Market Reference‑Priced Rates Application
BEFORE:
T. A. Loski, Panel Chair
A. K. Fung, QC, Commissioner
E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner
on November 26, 2019
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On October 31, 2019, the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) seeking approvals of an amended Freshet Rate (Rate Schedule 1892) and approval for a new optional rate, the Incremental Energy Rate (Rate Schedule 1893), pursuant to sections 58 to 60 of the Utilities Commission Act (Application);
B. As part of the Application, BC Hydro requests that the Incremental Energy Rate, Rate Schedule (RS) 1893, be approved effective January 1, 2020 on an interim and non-refundable basis. BC Hydro proposes that the interim rate be approved on a non-refundable basis because customers will be making operating decisions based on the interim rate and they require certainty that the rate will not be changed retroactively;
C. BC Hydro explains that the Incremental Energy Rate will be offered on a non-firm, interruptible basis for electricity usage above normal firm service (RS 1823 or RS 1828) baseline amounts and available as a pilot commencing January 1, 2020 until March 31, 2024;
D. BC Hydro submits that the Incremental Energy Rate is similar in concept and design to the Freshet Rate, but it would be offered on a year round basis. BC Hydro also submits that it has consulted extensively with transmission service customers, the Association of Major Power Customers of BC (AMPC) and other stakeholders and that there is strong customer support for the optional Incremental Energy Rate to be offered on a pilot basis;
E. BC Hydro further submits that in order to implement RS 1893 to meet a request from AMPC and certain customers that this service option be available by January 1, 2020, BC Hydro would require that the BCUC grant an order approving such on an interim and non-refundable basis by November 29, 2019; and
F. The BCUC has reviewed the interim rate request and finds the approval of the Incremental Energy Rate effective January 1, 2020 on an interim and non-refundable basis is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 58 to 60, 90 and 91 of the Utilities Commission Act and section 15 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. The Incremental Energy Rate (RS 1893 – Transmission Service – Incremental Energy Rate) as shown in Appendix C of the Application is approved effective January 1, 2020 on an interim and non-refundable basis as requested in the Application, until further order of the BCUC.
2. BC Hydro is directed to file updated tariff sheets with the BCUC regarding the interim approval of RS 1893 within 15 business days of the date of this order for acceptance.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 26th day of November 2019.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
T. A. Loski
Commissioner