ORDER NUMBER
G-332-20
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Energy Inc.
Rate Schedule 46 – Liquefied Natural Gas Sales, Dispensing,
Liquefied Natural Gas Transportation Service and Transportation Service
Application for Interim Rates effective January 1, 2021
BEFORE:
E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner
on December 15, 2020
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On December 7, 2020, pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval, on an interim basis, of the existing rates for certain charges in Rate Schedule 46 (RS 46) Table of Charges for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Transportation Service, the Table of Charges for LNG Service, and the Table of Charges for Transportation Service, (collectively, the Tables of Charges), effective January 1, 2021 (Application);
B. On December 12, 2013, the BCUC issued Order G-211-13 approving RS 46, in accordance with Order in Council (OIC) No. 557, B.C. Regulation 245/2013, deposited November 28, 2013, issuing Direction No. 5 to the BCUC, and effective December 12, 2013;
C. On December 24, 2014, the BCUC issued Order G-207-14, effective January 1, 2015, approving amendments to RS 46 and Direction No. 5 in accordance with OIC No. 749, B.C. Regulation 265/2014, and deposited December 22, 2014;
D. On May 4, 2017, the BCUC issued Order G-65-17, effective May 4, 2017, approving further amendments to RS 46 and Direction No. 5, in accordance with section 5(1.2) of OIC No. 162, B.C. Regulation 115/2017, and deposited March 22, 2017;
E. Due to the timing of the release of the British Columbia Consumer Price Index (BC CPI) data for November, which is required to calculate the annual adjustment to the rates in the Tables of Charges for the LNG Tanker Charges per Day or Partial Day, the LNG Facility Charge, the Electricity Surcharge, and the LNG Spot Charge, FEI requests that the existing rates for those charges be made interim, effective January 1, 2021;
F. In accordance with the Application and BCUC Order G-314-20 dated December 3, 2020, FEI enclosed revised tariff pages, which included approval of the Storage and Transport Charges and the Midstream Cost Reconciliation Account Rate Rider 6 applicable to RS 46, on a permanent basis effective January 1, 2021; and
G. The BCUC has reviewed the Application and finds that approval is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the UCA, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. Existing rates for the LNG Tanker Charges per Day or Partial Day, the LNG Facility Charge, the Electricity Surcharge, and the LNG Spot Charge in FEI’s RS 46 Tables of Charges are extended and made interim, effective January 1, 2021.
2. FEI must file an application for permanent rates on or before January 31, 2021.
3. Any variance between the interim rates and the permanent rates, as determined by the BCUC, are subject to refund/recovery with interest at the average prime rate of FEI’s principal bank for its most recent year.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 15th day of December 2020.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
E. B. Lockhart
Commissioner