ORDER NUMBER
C-6-21
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd.
Application
for Approval of the 2021 Franchise Agreement between Pacific Northern Gas
(N.E.) Ltd.
and the City of Fort St. John
BEFORE:
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
on December 6, 2021
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. By Order G-145-21, dated May 10, 2021, the BCUC approved Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd.’s (PNG (N.E.)) revised Proposed 2019 Franchise Agreement with the City of Fort St. John in principle, and directed PNG to file a fully executed Franchise Agreement with the BCUC following the adoption of a municipal bylaw by the City of Fort St. John (the City) granting a franchise to PNG (N.E.), along with a copy of the adopted bylaw and any other evidence that the franchise has been secured;
B. On September 15, 2021, PNG (N.E.) submitted: an executed copy of the Franchise Agreement between PNG(NE) and the City, dated May 10, 2021; a copy of the City’s Bylaw No. 2529, 2021 adopted on August 9, 2021 providing statutory approval as required under section 2.1(a) of the Franchise Agreement; and a copy of the minutes from the City Council meeting of August 9, 2021, at which time the adoption of Bylaw No. 2529, 2021 was documented; and
C. The Franchise Agreement is for a term of 21 years and replaces an earlier franchise agreement which expired on December 7, 2018; and
D. The BCUC has reviewed the application and supporting documentation, and considers the following determination is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 45(7) of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders that PNG (N.E.)’s Franchise Agreement with the City of Fort St. John dated May 10, 2021, is approved as filed.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 6th day of December 2021.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
B. A. Magnan
Commissioner