ORDER NUMBER
G-196-21
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Application to Amend Rates
BEFORE:
A. K. Fung, QC, Panel Chair
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
on June 25, 2021
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On November 10, 2020, Big White Gas Utility Ltd. (BWGU) filed its fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2026 revenue requirements application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) requesting approval, effective June 1, 2021, for the following amendments to its tariff:
i. New terms and conditions imported, with amendments, from BWGU’s standard form of Propane Supply Agreement with its customers;
ii. Provisions for collecting development cost charges on specified properties, added to the tariff;
iii. The minimum charge (currently applicable only in cases where this charge exceeds the level of the consumption charge for that period) changed to a basic charge, applicable each month in addition to the consumption charge;
iv. A one-cent per litre increase to the consumption charge, to $0.13 per litre;
v. All mark-ups standardized to 15 percent over cost in the Special Rate Schedule; and
vi. Various “housekeeping” amendments for clarity and consistency (collectively, the Application);
B. By Orders G-297-20 and G-53-21, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application which included two rounds of information requests to BWGU followed by BWGU’s written argument. No requests for intervener status or letters of comments were received by the BCUC;
C. By Order G-120-21 dated April 26, 2021, the BCUC approved the amendments and rate changes to BWGU’s tariff as applied for in the Application, on an interim and refundable basis, effective June 1, 2021; and
D. The BCUC has considered the Application and the evidence and submissions filed in the proceeding and makes the following determinations.
NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. The following amendments to BWGU’s tariff are approved on a permanent basis, effective June 1, 2021, subject to the adjustments resulting from the determinations and directives contained in the decision issued concurrently with this order:
i. New terms and conditions imported, with amendments, from BWGU’s standard form of Propane Supply Agreement with its customers;
ii. Provisions for collecting development cost charges on specified properties, added to the tariff;
iii. The minimum charge (currently applicable only in cases where this charge exceeds the level of the consumption charge for that period) changed to a basic charge, applicable each month in addition to the consumption charge;
iv. A one-cent per litre increase to the consumption charge, to $0.13 per litre;
v. All mark-ups standardized to 15 percent over cost in the Special Rate Schedule; and
vi. Various “housekeeping” amendments for clarity and consistency.
2. BWGU is directed to recalculate its revenue requirements and to adjust its rates based on the determinations and directives contained in the decision issued concurrently with this order.
3. BWGU is directed to file within 60 days of this order, updated tariff pages, reflecting the terms of this order and the determinations and directives contained in the decision issued concurrently with this order, for endorsement by the BCUC within 60 days of the date of this order.
4. BWGU is directed to refund to its customers the difference between interim and permanent rates, with interest calculated at the average prime rate of BWGU’s principal bank for its most recent year.
5. BWGU must provide all its customers with notification of the permanent rate changes as soon as is practicable.
6. BWGU is directed to comply with all other directives contained in the decision issued concurrently with this order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 25th day of June 2021.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
A. K. Fung, QC
Commissioner