Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-259-20

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

on October 15, 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.      The BCUC by Order G-231-13 dated December 31, 2013, as amended by Order G-231-13A dated January 6, 2014, found that exemptions from certain provisions of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for TES providers properly conserves the public interest and requested 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. Over 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;

H.      By Order G-53-20 dated March 16, 2020, and Order G-91-20 dated April 22, 2020, the BCUC amended the regulatory timetable for the Review due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and participants’ safety;

I.         By Exhibit A-15 letter dated July 31, 2020 and Exhibit A-16 letter dated September 21, 2020, the BCUC cancelled the regulatory timetable until further notice; and

J.        The BCUC considers the establishment of a further regulatory timetable is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

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

2.       A transcribed web-based workshop on the Review will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 commencing at 9:00 a.m. The workshop will continue on Thursday, December 10, 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             15^th               day of October 2020.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

R. I. Mason

Commissioner

Attachment

British Columbia Utilities Commission

Review of Thermal Energy Systems Regulatory Framework Guidelines

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