ORDER NUMBER
G-164-20
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Electricity Purchase Agreement Renewal – Robson Valley
BEFORE:
R. I. Mason, Panel Chair
C. Brewer, Commissioner
W. M. Everett, Commissioner
on June 19, 2020
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On April 30, 2020, pursuant to section 71 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) an electricity purchase agreement (EPA) with a three-year term between BC Hydro and Robson Valley Power Corporation for the Robson Valley hydroelectric project (Robson Valley EPA Renewal), effective February 1, 2020 (Filing);
B. By Order G-61-12, dated May 17, 2012, the BCUC approved the Rules for Energy Supply Contracts for Electricity (Rules). The Rules set out in Appendix A of Order G-61-12 are intended to facilitate the BCUC’s review of energy supply contracts for electricity, pursuant to section 71 of the UCA;
C. On March 27, 2020, BC Hydro requested an extension from the 60-day filing rule for the filing of EPAs, or amendments, as set out in the Rules, for the Robson Valley EPA Renewal;
D. By letter dated March 30, 2020, the BCUC granted BC Hydro’s filing extension request;
E. By Order G-121-20, dated May 21, 2020, the BCUC established a written comment process for the review of the Filing, which included a public notice, BCUC Information Requests and a deadline for letters of comment. No letters of comment were received by the BCUC;
F. BC Hydro requests that the un-redacted version of the Filing, including the Robson Valley EPA Renewal, be held confidential as it contains commercially sensitive information; and
G. The BCUC has considered the Filing and evidence and considers that acceptance of the Robson Valley EPA Renewal is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 71 of the UCA and the Rules, the BCUC orders the following:
1. The Robson Valley EPA Renewal is accepted for filing.
2. The BCUC will hold the un-redacted version of the Filing, including the Robson Valley EPA Renewal, confidential as it contains commercially sensitive information.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 19th day of June 2020.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
R. I. Mason
Commissioner