Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-120-20

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
COVID-19 Residential Rate Relief for Renters Application

BEFORE:

A. K. Fung, QC, Panel Chair

T.A. Loski, Commissioner

R. I. Mason, Commissioner

on May 21, 2020

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On May 14, 2020, the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval of further amendments to its Electric Tariff, pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 91 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), to allow for residential rate relief for renters who are unable to work as a result of the COVID‑19 pandemic and who do not have a BC Hydro account in their name but pay for their electricity service through their rent (Application). In such cases, the BC Hydro account is in the landlord’s name. The relief will address impacts arising from the loss of employment or inability to work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to BC Hydro’s COVID‑19 Relief Fund;

B.      Prior to the filing of this Application, on April 7, 2020, pursuant to the Direction to the BCUC Respecting COVID-19 issued by the Lieutenant Governor in Council on April 2, 2020 (Order in Council No. 159 or Direction), the BCUC issued Order G‑79‑20, approving amendments to BC Hydro’s Electric Tariff in order to provide rate relief to BC Hydro’s customers impacted by changes in employment and business closures associated with the COVID‑19 pandemic;

C.      The BCUC has commenced review of the Application and finds the establishment of a public hearing and regulatory timetable is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE, the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       A public hearing is established, as set out in the Regulatory Timetable attached as Appendix A to this order.

2.       As soon as reasonably possible, but no later than Monday, May 25, 2020, BC Hydro must provide a copy of this order and the Application, electronically where possible, to all registered interveners in the BC Hydro F2020 to F2021 Revenue Requirements Application (RRA) proceeding.

3.       In accordance with the BCUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure attached as Appendix A to Order G-15-19, parties who wish to participate in the proceeding may submit a letter of comment, register as an interested party or request intervener status. Parties requesting intervener status must register with the BCUC by completing a Request to Intervene Form available on the BCUC’s website 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                21st                 day of May 2020.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

A. K. Fung, QC

Commissioner

Attachment

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
COVID-19 Residential Rate Relief for Renters Application

*The BCUC requests written submissions from interveners and BC Hydro regarding the following:

                     i.            Whether the relief for residential renters who are not BC Hydro account holders, as detailed in the Application, can be considered part of the “emergency program for residential customers,” as defined in Order in Council No. 159;

                   ii.            Whether the BCUC has jurisdiction to grant relief for electricity service charges included in rents paid by tenants to landlords who are BC Hydro account holders; and

                  iii.            Whether the granting of interim approval is appropriate given that there could be potential challenges to reversing the credits granted in the event permanent approval is not granted.