ORDER NUMBER
G-345-21
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Fortis BC Energy Inc.
Application for 2019-2022 Demand Side Management Expenditures Plan
For 2020 – Residential and CEO Program Area Budget Transfers and Over Expenditures
BEFORE:
A. K. Fung QC, Panel Chair
A. Pape-Salmon, Commissioner
on November 25, 2021
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. By Order G-10-19, dated January 17, 2019, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) issued its decision in the FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) Application for Acceptance of 2019-2022 Demand Side Management (DSM) Expenditures Plan (2019-22 DSM Plan) proceeding, approving, among other things, FEI’s request that funding transfers between program areas and years follow the same process as was established in the FEI 2012 and 2013 Revenue Requirements and Natural Gas Rates Decision;
B. On October 5, 2021, FEI filed an application pursuant to the 2019-22 DSM Plan to request acceptance for three actions that would adjust the plan, namely: (1) a carry over of 1.9% of total DSM 2020 portfolio expenditures into 2021; (2) transfer of funds in excess of 25% into the Residential program area in 2020; and (3) transfer of funds in excess of 25% out of the Conservation Education and Outreach (CEO) program area in 2020 (Application);
C. More specifically, FEI requests the following:
1. Approval to allocate $1.388 million of over expenditures in total DSM 2020 portfolio expenditures to the 2021 Portfolio Level and Enabling Program Areas;
2. Acceptance of transfer of funds of $0.728 million into the 2020 Residential Program Area Budget (2.8% in excess of 25% of the approved 2020 Residential Program expenditure) resulting in an overall funding increase of 27.8% or $7.158 million for the Residential Program Area; and
3. Acceptance of transfer of $1.172 million out of the CEO Program Area (13.9% in excess of 25% of the approved 2020 CEO Program expenditure), resulting in an overall funding decrease of 38.9% or $3.286 million for the CEO program area; and
D. The BCUC has reviewed the Application and considers approval of the Application is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to section 44.2 of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. FEI is approved to allocate $1.388 million of over expenditures in total 2020 DSM portfolio expenditures to the 2021 Portfolio Level and Enabling Program Areas.
2. FEI’s transfer of funds in excess of 25% by 2.8% or $0.728 million into the approved 2020 Residential Program Area budget is accepted.
3. FEI’s transfer of funds in excess of 25% by 13.9% or $1.172 million out of the approved 2020 CEO Program Area budget is accepted.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 25th day of November 2021.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
A. K. Fung, QC
Commissioner