ORDER NUMBER
C-5-22
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc.
Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
for the Core Steam System Decarbonization Project
BEFORE:
A. K. Fung, KC, Panel Chair
C. M. Brewer, Commissioner
A. C. Dennier, Commissioner
E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner
on September 15, 2022
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY
WHEREAS:
A. On June 30, 2021, Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc. (Creative Energy) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the Core Steam System Decarbonization Project (Project) pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) (Application);
B. The Project consists of the construction and operation of an electric steam boiler plant, an electric substation and related equipment;
C. Creative Energy also requests acceptance, pursuant to section 44.2 of the UCA, of the following anticipated expenditures:
1. $15.775 million for a new British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) electric transmission line between BC Hydro’s Murrin substation and Creative Energy’s Beatty Plant; and
2. $1.54 million for a BC Hydro Facilities Study relating to the new BC Hydro transmission line;
D. By Orders G-258-21, G-293-21 and G-358-21, the BCUC established and amended the regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, which included two rounds of information requests (IRs) to Creative Energy from the BCUC and interveners, and submissions on further process;
E. By Orders G-49-22 and G-85-22, the BCUC further established and amended the regulatory timetable to include one round of Panel IRs, Creative Energy and intervener written final arguments, and Creative Energy’s written reply argument;
F. By Order G-128-22, the BCUC established a further regulatory timetable to review a refined net present value (NPV) model of the Project filed by Creative Energy in its written final argument. The timetable included an additional round of IRs regarding the refined NPV model, as well as written submissions from interveners and Creative Energy on same; and
G. The BCUC has considered the Application, the evidence and submissions in this proceeding and determines that certain approvals are warranted.
NOW THEREFORE for the reasons set out in the Decision issued concurrently with this order and pursuant to sections 44.2, 45, and 46 of the UCA, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. Creative Energy is granted a CPCN for the Project.
2. Creative Energy’s expenditure schedule of $15.775 million for a new BC Hydro electric transmission line between BC Hydro’s Murrin substation and Creative Energy’s Beatty Plant is accepted.
3. Creative Energy’s expenditure schedule of $1.54 million for a BC Hydro Facilities Study relating to the new BC Hydro transmission line is accepted.
4. Creative Energy is directed to file Project reports as outlined in Appendix A to the Decision.
5. Creative Energy is directed to comply with all the directives outlined in the Decision issued concurrently with this order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 15th day of September 2022.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
A. K. Fung, KC
Commissioner