ORDER NUMBER
G-64-23
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Utilities Commission
Inquiry into the Regulation of Safety
BEFORE:
D. M. Morton, Panel Chair
C. M. Brewer, Commissioner
R. I. Mason, Commissioner
on March 28, 2023
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On September 23, 2020, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) established an inquiry to examine the role of the BCUC in the regulation of safety (Inquiry);
B. Stage 1 of the Inquiry focused on (i) the nature and extent of the BCUC’s jurisdiction to regulate the safety of public utilities under the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), (ii) the conditions, if any, under which the BCUC can forbear from regulating the safety of public utilities within its jurisdiction, as allowable under the UCA, and (iii) setting out a framework of key principles to guide the BCUC in carrying out its safety-related duties;
C. On December 22, 2022, the BCUC issued Decision and Order G-381-22 and the final Stage 1 report (Stage 1 Report);
D. In the Stage 1 Report, the BCUC indicated that Stage 2 of the Inquiry would explore the application of the key principles guiding the BCUC’s regulation of public utility safety and would set out actions for the BCUC to undertake in implementing its safety mandate;
E. In Decision and Order G-381-22, the BCUC stated that information on the specific regulatory process and timetable for Stage 2 would be provided in due course; and
F. The BCUC considers that a direction to BCUC staff to prepare a set of proposed Safety Guidelines for the BCUC’s consideration and public comment in lieu of Stage 2 of the Inquiry would support regulatory efficiency.
NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:
1. BCUC staff shall prepare a set of proposed Safety Guidelines for the BCUC’s consideration.
2. The Inquiry is concluded.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 28th day of March 2023.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. M. Morton
Commissioner