Orders

ORDER NUMBER

F-11-23

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Application for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for the Bridge River Projects

Interim Participant Assistance/Cost Award Application

 

BEFORE:

R. I. Mason, Panel Chair

C. M. Brewer, Commissioner

A. C. Dennier, Commissioner

 

on March 20, 2023

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On July 23, 2021, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the Bridge River 1 Units 1 to 4 Generator Replacement Project (BR1 Project) and a CPCN for the Bridge River Transmission Project (BRT Project) (together, Application);

B.      On September 28, 2021, the Commercial Energy Consumers Association of BC (the CEC) requested to intervene in the BC Hydro Bridge River CPCN proceeding;

C.      On January 23, 2023, the CEC filed an application for interim Participant Assistance / Cost Award (PACA) funding (Interim PACA Application). The CEC seeks $72,551.24 in interim PACA funding;

D.      By letter dated March 13, 2023, BC Hydro provided its comments on the Interim PACA Application, stating in BC Hydro’s view, the CEC has participated in the proceeding and contributed to a better understanding by the BCUC of the issues in the proceeding. BC Hydro states it has no objection to the CEC receiving the Interim PACA funding requested; and

E.       The BCUC has reviewed the Interim PACA Application in accordance with the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines, attached to Order G-97-17, and determines that an interim cost award should be granted as an advance against the BCUC’s final cost award determination.

 

 

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders as follows:

 

1.       Interim funding in the listed amount is awarded to the CEC as an advance against the BCUC’s final cost award for participation in the BC Hydro Bridge River CPCN proceeding:

 

2.       BC Hydro is directed to reimburse the CEC for the awarded amount in a timely manner.

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this     20^th       day of March 2023.

 

BY ORDER

 

Original signed by:

 

R. I. Mason

Commissioner