ORDER NUMBER
G-380-22
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Inc.
2021 Long-Term Electric Resource Plan and
2021 Long-Term Demand-Side Management Plan
BEFORE:
A. K. Fung, KC, Panel Chair
C. M. Brewer, Commissioner
A. Pape-Salmon, Commissioner
on December 21, 2022
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On August 4, 2021, FortisBC Inc. (FBC) filed its 2021 Long-Term Electric Resource Plan (2021 LTERP) including its 2021 Long-Term Demand-Side Management (DSM) Plan (2021 LT DSM Plan) for acceptance by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) pursuant to section 44.1(6) of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) (Application);
B. By Order G-265-21, dated September 9, 2021, and as amended by Orders G-292-21, G-314-21, G-24-22,
G-130-22, and G-199-22, the BCUC established a public hearing and regulatory timetable, including intervener registration, two rounds of information requests (IRs), filing of intervener evidence, IRs on intervener evidence, filing of rebuttal evidence, IRs on rebuttal evidence, two Panel IRs and final and reply arguments;
C. British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA), British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al (BCOAPO); BC Solar and Storage Industries Association (BCSSIA), Columbia Power Corporation, Brilliant Power Corporation, Brilliant Expansion Power Corporation and Waneta Expansion Power Corporation, Commercial Energy Consumer Association of British Columbia (the CEC), the Industrial Consumers Group (ICG), Movement of Unite Professionals (MoveUP) and the Residential Consumer Intervener Association (RCIA) registered as interveners in the proceeding;
D. FBC filed its Final Argument on August 18, 2022. Final Arguments were filed by BCSEA, BCOAPO, BCSSIA, the CEC, ICG, MoveUP and RCIA by September 8, 2022, and FBC provided its Reply Argument on October 7, 2022; and
E. The Panel has reviewed the evidence and submissions in this proceeding, and considers the following determinations are warranted.
NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to section 44.1 of the UCA, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. FBC’s 2021 LTERP, including the 2021 LT DSM Plan, is accepted in whole as being in the public interest.
2. FBC is directed to provide the following information with respect to capacity self-sufficiency in its next LTERP:
a. An updated assessment of market risks and ability to meet demand;
b. An update on the ability to secure firm market blocks for June capacity and timing for planned capacity self-sufficiency for all months (currently scheduled for 2030); and
c. An assessment of the cost-effectiveness of capacity self-sufficiency as compared to other options.
3. FBC is directed to file its next LTERP no later than December 31, 2026, unless otherwise ordered by the BCUC.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 21st day of December 2022.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
A. K. Fung, KC
Commissioner