Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-53-20

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

British Columbia Utilities Commission

Review of Thermal Energy Systems Regulatory Framework Guidelines

BEFORE:

R. I. Mason, Panel Chair

W. M. Everett, QC, Commissioner

T. A. Loski, Commissioner

on March 16, 2020

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On August 28, 2013, by Order G-132-13, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) established a written public hearing for the review of a proposed regulatory framework for Thermal Energy Systems (TES);

B.      On December 31, 2013, by Order G-231-13, amended by Order G-231-13A on January 6, 2014, the BCUC found that exemptions from certain provisions of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for TES providers properly conserves the public interest and the BCUC sought approval from the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) for certain exemptions, pursuant to section 88(3) of the UCA;

C.      On June 20, 2014, the LGIC approved Orders in Council 399, 400 and 401 giving advance approval to the BCUC to exempt certain TES from certain provisions of the UCA, as requested. On August 27, 2014, the BCUC issued Orders G-119-14, G-120-14 and G-121-14 providing certain exemptions from certain provisions of the UCA for: a) Micro TES providers; b) Strata owned TES; and c) Stream A TES providers, respectively;

D.      On August 28, 2014, by Order G-127-14, the BCUC approved and issued the Thermal Energy System Regulatory Framework Guidelines (TES Guidelines). Revisions to the TES Guidelines were approved on March 2, 2015, by Order G-27-15;

E.       Section 1 of the TES Guidelines states that the TES Guidelines may be revised or updated from time to time in order to incorporate lessons learnt and adjust to evolving market circumstances and changes to the UCA. Five years have elapsed since the issuance of the TES Guidelines;

F.       On December 20, 2019, by Order G-341-19, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the Review of Thermal Energy Systems Regulatory Framework Guidelines (Review), including a Transcribed Workshop scheduled for April 1, 2020, to continue April 2, 2020, if required;

G.     By Exhibit A-7 letter, dated March 9, 2020, the BCUC established the scope of the Review; and

H.      The BCUC considers that amending the regulatory timetable for the Review is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       The regulatory timetable for the Review is amended, as set out in Appendix A to this order.

2.       A transcribed workshop on the Review will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 commencing at 9:00 a.m. in the BCUC Hearing Room on the 12th floor, 1125 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC. The workshop will continue Wednesday, May 13, 2020, if required.

3.       Registered interveners may provide written submissions following the transcribed workshop by the date established in the regulatory timetable attached as Appendix A to this order.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this            16th          day of March 2020.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

R. I. Mason

Commissioner

Attachment

British Columbia Utilities Commission

Review of Thermal Energy Systems Regulatory Framework Guidelines

* Location of the workshop:

BCUC Hearing Room

12th Floor, 1125 Howe Street

Vancouver, BC  V6Z 2K8

** The notice to file evidence should include a description of the key issues intended to be addressed.