ORDER NUMBER
G-391-22
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Extension Request for Public Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Service Rates Application
BEFORE:
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
on December 29, 2022
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On December 21, 2022, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval of an extension request to file an application for permanent rates for Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Fast Charging Service, from December 31, 2022, to June 30, 2023 (Extension Request);
B. Pursuant to Order G-18-22 and BCUC Decision dated January 26, 2022, regarding BC Hydro’s application for Public EV Fast Charging Service Rates pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 90 of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC ordered the following, among other matters:
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;
C. The following BC Hydro Public EV Fast Charging Service rates are currently in place on an interim basis:
i. Rate Schedule 1360 for 25 kW stations at $0.1207 per minute;
ii. Rate Schedule 1560 for 50 kW stations at $0.2113 per minute;
iii. Rate Schedule 1561 for 100 kW stations at $0.2717 per minute;
D. In the Extension Request, BC Hydro submits that key policy matters related to Low Carbon Fuel Credits and BC Hydro’s ability to charge energy-based rates are not currently resolved. BC Hydro expects an extension to June 30, 2023 should provide sufficient time for these matters to be resolved and to inform an application for permanent rates;
E. As part of the Extension Request in Appendix B, BC Hydro includes actual utilization, costs, and revenues for each BC Hydro public EV fast charging station. BC Hydro requests that this portion of Appendix B be kept confidential as it contains commercially sensitive information; and
F. The BCUC has reviewed the Extension Request and makes the following determinations.
NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:
1. BC Hydro’s Extension Request to file an application for permanent rates for Public EV Fast Charging Service, in accordance with directives 2 and 4 of BCUC Order G-18-22, from December 31, 2022 to June 30, 2023, is approved.
2. BC Hydro EV fast charging station information, filed in part as Appendix B of the Extension Request, will be kept confidential.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 29th day of December 2022.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
B. A. Magnan
Commissioner