ORDER NUMBER
G-316-19
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Utilities Commission
An Inquiry into the Regulation of Municipal Energy Utilities
BEFORE:
T. A. Loski, Panel Chair
C. M. Brewer, Commissioner
W. M. Everett, QC, Commissioner
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
on December 5, 2019
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. By Order G-177-19 dated August 1, 2019, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) established an inquiry to examine the regulation of energy utilities affiliated with municipalities and regional districts in British Columbia (Inquiry) and established a regulatory timetable;
B. On Thursday, October 24, 2019, intervener written submissions and letters of comment were received by the BCUC, addressing whether a utility affiliated, in some way, with a municipality or regional district is considered a public utility as defined by section 1 of the UCA;
C. The BCUC has reviewed the submissions and considers that it is now appropriate to seek submissions from interveners on further process; and
D. The BCUC considers that an updated regulatory timetable is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:
1. The regulatory timetable established by Order G-177-19 is updated and attached as Appendix A to this order.
2. Interveners are to provide written submissions on further process by Thursday, January 16, 2020, including any comments on the proposed timetable, attached as Appendix B to this order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 5th day of December 2019.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
T. A. Loski
Commissioner
Attachment
British Columbia Utilities Commission
An Inquiry into the Regulation of Municipal Energy Utilities
REGULATORY TIMETABLE
|
Action |
Date (2020) |
|
Intervener written submissions on further process[1] |
Thursday, January 16 |
|
Further process |
To be determined |
British Columbia Utilities Commission
An Inquiry into the Regulation of Municipal Energy Utilities
PROPOSED REGULATORY TIMETABLE
|
Action |
Date (2020) |
|
Intervener evidence deadline |
Thursday, February 13 |
|
BCUC information requests (IRs) on intervener evidence |
Thursday, March 5 |
|
Intervener IRs on intervener evidence |
Thursday, March 12 |
|
Intervener response to BCUC and intervener IRs |
Thursday, April 2 |
|
Further process |
To be determined |
British Columbia Utilities Commission
An Inquiry into the Regulation of Municipal Energy Utilities
WHAT IS INTERVENER EVIDENCE?
Interveners in inquiries before the BCUC may be given the opportunity to file their own evidence. This is an opportunity for interveners to potentially present a position in the matter that is being dealt with in the Inquiry. Evidence can take many forms, including witness statements (written, in person) and written documents.
If the BCUC permits interveners to present evidence, the BCUC and all other registered interveners may have an opportunity to examine the intervener evidence through information requests and/or cross-examination.
If interveners file evidence in the Inquiry, the BCUC may provide the other interveners with the opportunity to file evidence to rebut the intervener evidence. The rebuttal evidence may also be subject to information requests and/or cross examination.
[1] The Panel requests that submissions address the most appropriate further process or processes. Submissions should address the regulatory timetable laid out in Appendix B to this Order. Participants are also requested to provide a proposed regulatory timetable, advise as to their periods of unavailability and include whether they intend to file evidence. The role of evidence in BCUC hearings is attached to this Order as Appendix C.