ORDER NUMBER
G-57-23
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Application for Orders Regarding the Peace to Kelly Lake Stations Sustainment Project
BEFORE:
E. B. Lockhart, Panel Chair
T. A. Loski, Commissioner
A. Pape-Salmon, Commissioner
March 20, 2023
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On January 25, 2022, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), seeking acceptance of a capital expenditure schedule in the cost range of $253 to $354 million for the Peace to Kelly Lake Stations Sustainment Project (Project), pursuant to section 44.2 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) (Application);
B. The Project consists of the replacement of equipment and buildings at existing stations on the Peace to Kelly Lake portion of BC Hydro’s transmission system;
C. On July 11, 2022, the BCUC received a letter from BC Hydro requesting to file an updated cost estimate for the Project. By Order G-190-22 dated July 13, 2022, the BCUC amended the regulatory timetable to allow BC Hydro to file its updated cost estimate. On August 15, 2022, BC Hydro filed an updated cost estimate.
D. By Orders G-60-22A, G-174-22, G-236-22, G-295-22, the BCUC established and amended the regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, which included two rounds of information requests (IRs) to BC Hydro from the BCUC and interveners, and final and reply arguments;
E. The Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia, Residential Consumer Intervener Association and British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. registered as interveners in the proceeding; and
F. The BCUC has considered the Application, evidence and submissions of the parties and makes the following determinations.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 44.2 of the UCA, and for the reasons provided in the Decision issued concurrently with this order, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. BC Hydro’s capital expenditure schedule for the Project, with a cost range of $253 million to $354 million, is accepted.
2. BC Hydro is directed to file Project reports as outlined in Appendix A to the Decision.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 20th day of March 2023.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
E. B. Lockhart
Commissioner