Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-101-20

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

Corix Multi-Utility Services Inc.

Application to Amend the Variable Energy Charge for Dockside Green Energy

BEFORE:

T. A. Loski, Panel Chair

E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner

on April 30, 2020

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On April 20, 2020, Corix Multi-Utility Services Inc. (Corix) filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) seeking approval to establish a new Variable Energy Charge Rate Setting Mechanism, to reduce the existing Variable Energy Charge for Dockside Green Energy (DGE), and to amend the DGE tariff sheet to reflect the proposed changes (Application);

B.      By Order G-248-19 dated October 16, 2019, the BCUC approved, among other things, Corix’s proposal to establish an Energy Cost Reconciliation Account (ECRA) to record variances between the actual energy costs and the revenue collected through the Variable Energy Charge, with the balance to be amortized over a one-year period;

C.      In the Application, Corix proposes to establish a two parameter Variable Energy Charge Rate Setting Mechanism, comprised of a ± 5 percent trigger ratio plus a minimum rate change threshold of ± $0.011 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) ;

D.      In the Application, Corix proposes to decrease the Variable Energy Charge by $0.013 kWh, from the current Variable Energy Charge of $0.055 per kWh to $0.042 per kWh, effective May 1, 2020;

E.       Corix estimates that the ECRA will have a surplus balance (funds owed to customers) of $5,735 as of April 30, 2020;

F.       Corix estimates that the proposed rate of $0.042 per kWh in the Application is equivalent to a bill impact of $87 per year, or an 11.4 percent decrease, for an average residential end-user in a 1,000 square foot condo; and

G.     The BCUC has reviewed the Application and finds the approval to reduce the Variable Energy Charge effective May 1, 2020, on an interim and refundable basis, is warranted and establishes a regulatory timetable for further review of the Application.

NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the Utility Commission Act, the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       A written hearing is established for the review of the Application in accordance with the regulatory timetable attached as Appendix A to this order.

2.       DGE is approved to decrease the Variable Energy Charge from $0.055 per kWh to $0.042 per kWh, effective May 1, 2020 on an interim and refundable basis or until further order of the BCUC.

3.       Corix and DGE are directed to notify all customers affected by the rate change of this Application and interim approval by no later than Friday, May 8, 2020.

4.       Corix and DGE are directed to publish on their websites, if any, the Application, this order and the regulatory timetable attached as Appendix A to this order, and to provide a copy of the same to registered parties of the Revenue Requirements and Rates Application for the Dockside Green District Energy Utility proceeding, no later than Friday, May 8, 2020.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this            30^th               day of April 2020.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

T. A. Loski

Commissioner

Attachment

Corix Multi-Utility Services Inc.

Application to Amend the Variable Energy Charge for Dockside Green Energy