ORDER NUMBER
E-26-21
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Big White Gas Utility Ltd.
Propane Supply Contract Filing for Big White Ski Resort
BEFORE:
B. A. Magnan, Panel Chair
A. Pape-Salmon, Commissioner
E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner
R. I. Mason, Commissioner
T. A. Loski, Commissioner
on December 9, 2021
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On August 19, 2021, Big White Gas Utility Ltd. (BWGU) filed its Fuel and Equipment Supply Contract with Superior Propane (Superior) for propane supply to Big White Ski Resort (Resort) for the five-year period commencing August 4, 2021 (Supply Contract) pursuant to section 71 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) and section 6.0 of the British Columbia Utilities Commission’s (BCUC) Rules for Natural Gas Energy Supply Contracts (collectively, the Filing).
B. By Order G-130-06 dated October 27, 2006, the BCUC approved the Rules for Natural Gas Energy Supply Contracts (Rules). The Rules are intended to facilitate the BCUC’s review of natural gas energy supply contracts pursuant to section 71 of the UCA;
C. By Order C-10-97 dated December 24, 1997, the BCUC granted BWGU a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct an underground propane grid system (Propane Grid) to replace individual tanks that were providing propane service to buildings at the Resort;
D. By Order G-52-98 dated June 10, 1998, BWGU was granted an exemption from section 71 and Part 3 of the UCA, except for section 22 (Exemption Order). The Exemption Order included provisions that BWGU’s exempt status would be reviewed should the Propane Grid be expanded to include a total of 15 commercial customers and/or residential loads as contemplated in the Resort development plans;
E. By Order G-64-05, dated June 24, 2005, the BCUC found that the number of customers served on the Propane Grid exceeded the threshold outlined in the Exemption Order and that the exemption was no longer warranted. The BCUC directed that BWGU be subject to full regulation under the UCA effective June 1, 2006;
F. On November 10, 2020, BWGU filed an application to amend its rates (2020 Rate Application). In its response to BCUC Information Request (IR) No. 1, dated February 9, 2021, BWGU submitted that it had no record of filing the previous agreement (2014 Contract) and agreed that the propane supply contract should be filed with BCUC for review and acceptance pursuant to section 71 of the UCA;
G. By Order G-196-21 and accompanying Decision dated June 25, 2021, the BCUC directed BWGU to file its contract for propane supply to the Resort for BCUC’s review and acceptance within 60 days; and
H. The BCUC has reviewed the Filing and is satisfied that the Supply Contract is in the public interest.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 71 of the Utilities Commission Act and the British Columbia Utilities Commission’s Rules for Energy Supply Contracts:
1. The BCUC accepts the Supply Contract between BWGU and Superior for the five-year period commencing August 4, 2021.
2. The BCUC will keep the pricing information associated with the Filing, the Supply Contract and associated information confidential.
3. BWGU is directed to file an annual contracting plan in accordance with the Rules no later than January 1, 2026 or within 90 days if the Supply Contract is terminated or prior to entering into any significant gas supply arrangements.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 9th day of December 2021.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
B. A. Magnan
Commissioner