Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-78-23

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Complaint filed by Gitga’at First Nation regarding
Remote Community Electrification Program Fees

 

BEFORE:

C. M. Brewer, Panel Chair

A. K. Fung, KC, Commissioner

T. A. Loski, Commissioner

 

on April 11, 2023

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On April 5, 2022, Gitga’at First Nation (GFN) filed a complaint with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) concerning charges billed by British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) (Complaint);

B.      In the Complaint, GFN details that it is a remote community to which BC Hydro extended electrical service under the Province of British Columbia’s Remote Community Electrification (RCE) Program, and that in addition to paying Zone II rates as set out in BC Hydro’s Electric Tariff, GFN has been charged an annual charge of approximately $85,000 in relation to an Electricity Service Agreement with BC Hydro, dated 2014 (Electricity Servicing Charge). GFN submits that the Electricity Servicing Charge violates section 63 of the Utilities Commission Act, as it is a term or condition of service that was not reviewed and approved by the BCUC;

C.      By Order G-272-22 dated September 29, 2022, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the review of the Complaint. The regulatory timetable was subsequently amended by Orders G-350-22, G-376-22, G-3-23 and G-56-23;

D.      The regulatory timetable included BCUC Information Request (IR) No. 2 to BC Hydro and GFN, as well as written submissions on further process;

E.       The BCUC has reviewed the IR responses and the submissions on further process and determines that establishment of a further regulatory timetable, with GFN, as the complainant filing its argument first, and submitting a reply argument if necessary, is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders a further regulatory timetable is established, as set out in Appendix A to this order.

 

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this                11^th                  day of April 2023.

 

BY ORDER

 

Original signed by:

 

C. M. Brewer

Commissioner

 

 

Attachment

 

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Complaint filed by Gitga’at First Nation regarding Remote Community Electrification Program Fees