Orders

 

ORDER NUMBER

G-379-22

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc.

2023 Revenue Requirements Application for the Core Thermal Energy System

 

BEFORE:

T. A. Loski, Panel Chair

A. C. Dennier, Commissioner

E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner

 

on December 20, 2022

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On November 29, 2022, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) issued its Decision and Order
G-345-22, approving Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc.’s (Creative Energy) application (2022 Revenue Requirements Application (RRA)) to unify the Northeast False Creek (NEFC) system cost of service and rates with the Core Steam system in a new rate design, effective January 1, 2022 (2022 RRA Decision);

B.       On December 1, 2022, Creative Energy filed with the BCUC its 2023 RRA for the thermal energy system serving downtown Vancouver and NEFC (Core TES) (Application);

C.       Creative Energy requests, among other things, interim and permanent approval of the thermal energy service rates for the Core TES and the system contribution charge for customers connected to the NEFC system as set out in Appendix B to the Application, effective January 1, 2023. Creative Energy states that the 2022 RRA Decision remained pending at the time the Application was being prepared. Accordingly, the requested thermal energy service rates represent an increase of approximately 15 percent from the rates applied for in the 2022 RRA and the requested system contribution charge maintains the rate as applied for in the 2022 RRA;

D.      Within 60 days of the date of Order G-345-22, Creative Energy will file an evidentiary update to the Application, addressing all directives and determinations in the 2022 RRA Decision that are applicable to the Application as directed by the BCUC in the 2022 RRA Decision; and

E.       The BCUC has commenced review of the Application and determines that approving interim thermal energy service rates and the system contribution charge for NEFC customers, as well as establishing a regulatory timetable are warranted.

 

 

 

 

NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders as follows:

 

1.       Creative Energy is approved to charge customers connected to the Core TES the thermal energy rates as set forth in Appendix B of the Application, on an interim and refundable basis, effective January 1, 2023.

2.       Creative Energy is directed to maintain the system contribution charge for customers connected to the NEFC system as approved by Order G-345-22, on an interim and refundable basis, effective January 1, 2023.

3.       Any variance between the interim and permanent rates for thermal energy service rates and the system contribution charge for customers connected to the NEFC system, as determined by the BCUC following its final determination of the Application, is subject to refund or recovery from ratepayers, with interest at Creative Energy’s cost of debt.

4.       A regulatory timetable for the review of the Application is established as set out in Appendix A to this order.

5.       Creative Energy is directed to file amended tariff pages for endorsement by the BCUC within 20 days of the date of this order.

6.       Creative Energy must provide a copy of the Application, including appendices and this order, electronically where possible, by Friday, January 6, 2023, to all customers of the Core TES and registered interveners in the 2022 RRA proceeding.

7.       Creative Energy is directed to publish the Public Notice attached as Appendix B to this order on its social media platforms, on or before Friday, January 6, 2023. Weekly reminder posts, including the Public Notice, must be published on each platform until the conclusion of the intervener registration period on Friday, January 27, 2023.

8.       Creative Energy is directed to post the Application and this order on its website at https://creative.energy/ by Friday, January 6, 2023.

9.       Creative Energy is directed to provide confirmation of compliance with Directives 6 through 8 by Tuesday, January 10, 2023. Such confirmation shall include confirmation of the Public Notice published on Creative Energy’s website, including a list of the social media platforms on which the Public Notice was posted, as well as a list of all parties notified.

10.   In accordance with the BCUC Rules of Practice and Procedure, any party who wishes to actively participate in the proceeding must complete a Request to Intervene Form, available on the BCUC's website, by the date established in the regulatory timetable. Any party who wishes to stay informed about the proceeding may register as an interested party by completing an Interested Party Form, available on the BCUC’s website under Get Involved. Any party may also submit a letter of comment by completing a Letter of Comment Form, available on the BCUC’s website.

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this           20^th            day of December 2022.

 

BY ORDER

 

Original signed by:

 

T. A. Loski

Commissioner

 

Attachments

Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc.

2023 Revenue Requirements Application for the Core Thermal Energy System

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREATIVE ENERGY 2023 REVENUE REQUIREMENTS APPLICATION FOR THE CORE THERMAL ENERGY SYSTEM

On December 1, 2022, Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc. (Creative Energy) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval to increase its thermal energy service rates for energy supplied to buildings in Vancouver’s downtown and Northeast False Creek service areas (Core Thermal Energy System). Creative Energy has requested a rate increase of approximately 15 percent. This is in addition to the rate changes Creative Energy applied for in 2022, which were approved by the BCUC, subject to final adjustments.

 

Any party who wishes to participate in the BCUC's regulatory review process is invited to register as an intervener or interested party; or submit a letter of comment.

 

For more information about the application, please visit the Proceeding Webpage on bcuc.com under
“Our Work – Proceedings”. To learn more about getting involved, please visit our website at www.bcuc.com/get-involved or contact us at the information below.

 

GET MORE INFORMATION
Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc. Suite 1 – 720 Beatty Street Vancouver, BC  Canada V6B 2M1   E: info@creative.energy   P: 604.688.9584	British Columbia Utilities Commission Suite 410, 900 Howe Street Vancouver, BC Canada  V6Z 2N3   E: Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com   P: 604.660.4700