ORDER NUMBER
G-125-20
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Energy Inc.
Application for Approval of Rates and Agreement for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Fueling Service
for Waste Management of Canada Corporation from FortisBC Energy Inc.’s Victoria Regional Office Facility in Langford, BC
BEFORE:
W. M. Everett, QC, Panel Chair
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
R. I. Mason, Commissioner
on May 27, 2020
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On May 11, 2020, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), for approval of the rates established in the fueling services agreement between FEI and Waste Management of Canada Corporation (Waste Management) (Waste Management-Langford 2020 Agreement), on an interim and permanent basis, effective May 11, 2020 (Application);
B. On April 11, 2013, the BCUC issued Order G-56-13 accepting that the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation (GGRR) established the need for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas fueling stations that are undertaken by FEI as prescribed undertakings as defined by the GGRR, and that these prescribed undertaking projects are exempt from the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity requirements for the term of the GGRR;
C. On November 19, 2013, by Order G-187-13, the BCUC found that the FEI CNG fueling station at FEI’s Victoria Regional Office Facility in Langford, BC (Langford Fueling Station) met the requirements for a prescribed undertaking as defined by the GGRR;
D. On October 14, 2015, by Order G-163-15, the BCUC approved a Fueling Services Agreement between FEI and Waste Management that established the rates under which Waste Management was to receive CNG fueling service from the Langford Fueling Station, effective June 1, 2015 (Waste Management-Langford Original Agreement). The Waste Management-Langford Original Agreement was for a one-year term with two one-year renewals and expired on May 31, 2018;
E. On May 6, 2020, FEI and Waste Management entered into the Waste Management-Langford 2020 Agreement which establishes the terms and conditions for Waste Management to continue to receive CNG fueling service from the Langford Fueling Station under essentially the same terms as the Waste Management-Langford Original Agreement. The Waste Management-Langford 2020 Agreement has an initial term of one-year with no renewal options, commencing May 6, 2020; and
F. The BCUC has completed its review of the Application and finds that approval is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the UCA, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. The rates established in the Waste Management-Langford 2020 Agreement are approved on a permanent basis, effective May 11, 2020.
2. The charges for CNG fueling service received by Waste Management at the Langford Fueling Station during the period from June 1, 2018 to May 10, 2020 are not recoverable from Waste Management or FEI’s non-bypass ratepayers.
3. FEI is to file with the BCUC the Waste Management-Langford 2020 Agreement in tariff supplement form for endorsement within 15 days of the date of this order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 27th day of May 2020.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
W. M. Everett, QC
Commissioner