ORDER NUMBER
G-18-22
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Public Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Service Rates Application
BEFORE:
D. M. Morton, Panel Chair/Commissioner
A. K. Fung, QC, Commissioner
E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner
on January 26, 2022
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On March 5, 2021, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval of the BC Hydro Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Fast Charging Service Rates Application (Application) pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 90 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA);
B. In the Application, BC Hydro seeks BCUC approvals, on both an interim and a permanent basis, of time-based rates (collectively, Proposed Rates) as set out in:
1. Rate Schedule 1360 for fast charging service at 25 kW stations at $0.12 per minute;
2. Rate Schedule 1560 for fast charging service at 50 kW stations at $0.21 per minute; and
3. Rate Schedule 1561 for fast charging service at 100 kW stations at $0.27 per minute;
C. By Order G-89-21 dated March 23, 2021, the BCUC approved the Proposed Rates on an interim basis, effective May 1, 2021. The BCUC will determine the manner by which any variance between the approved interim rates and permanent rates, including interest if any, will be refunded to or collected from customers or a class or classes of customers at the time the BCUC renders its final decision on the Application;
D. By Orders G-89-21, G-176-21, G-235-21, and G-254-21, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, including two rounds of written information requests to BC Hydro, intervener evidence, a Streamlined Review Process (SRP), followed by BC Hydro oral argument, intervener written argument, and BC Hydro written reply;
E. As part of the public review process, 20 interveners and 42 interested parties registered in this proceeding. The BCUC received 186 letters of comment from members of the public, including BC Hydro’s EV fast charging service customers and other EV fast charging service providers; and
F. The BCUC has reviewed the Application, evidence and arguments filed in the proceeding and makes the following determinations.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act, for the reasons stated in the decision issued concurrently with this order, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. BC Hydro’s request to establish the Proposed Rates as permanent is denied.
2. BC Hydro is directed to file a new application for a permanent EV fast charging rate by no later than December 31, 2022. The interim rates as established by Order G-89-21 remain in place until permanent rates are set by the BCUC.
3. BC Hydro is directed to apply, within 30 days of the issuance of this order, for a dispensation from the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act to have the option to charge energy-based rates. BC Hydro is directed to provide a status update to the BCUC on that application by April 30, 2022.
4. BC Hydro is directed to establish a separate class of service for its EV fast charging service. This should be included in BC Hydro’s permanent rate application, no later than December 31, 2022.
5. BC Hydro 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 26th day of January 2022.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. M. Morton
Commissioner