Orders

 

ORDER NUMBER

G-142-23

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

FortisBC Energy Inc.

Biomethane Energy Recovery Charge Rate Methodology and
Comprehensive Review of a Revised Renewable Gas Program

 

BEFORE:

D. M. Morton, Panel Chair

D. A. Cote, Commissioner

R. I. Mason, Commissioner

 

on June 14, 2023

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On December 17, 2021, in accordance with British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) Orders G-35-21 and G-242-21, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) filed its Stage 2 Comprehensive Review and Application for Approval of a Revised Renewable Gas Program (Application);

B.      By Orders G-3-22, G-103-22, G-165-22A, G-28-23, G-86-23, and G-112-23 the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for review of the Application;

C.      By letter dated May 8, 2023, FEI informed the BCUC that a matter (carbon tax matter) had arisen with respect to the Carbon Tax Act that may impact the evidence and approvals sought in the proceeding. FEI requested that the BCUC modify the regulatory timetable set by Order G-86-23, and allow FEI to file an update on the carbon tax matter by June 5, 2023, after which further process can be determined;

D.      By letter dated June 5, 2023, in accordance with Order G-111-23, FEI provided an update regarding the carbon tax matter, and requested an amendment to the regulatory timetable to allow a further update regarding the carbon tax matter and a regulatory timetable proposal by August 1, 2023;

E.       The BCUC has reviewed FEI’s request and determines that an amendment to the regulatory timetable is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       A further regulatory timetable is established, as set out in Appendix A to this order.

2.       FEI is directed to provide a further update on the carbon tax matter and a regulatory timetable proposal by August 1, 2023. In its further update, FEI must also include an explanation of how FEI’s current biomethane program is affected by the carbon tax matter.

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this           14^th           day of June 2023.

 

 

BY ORDER

 

Original signed by:

 

D. M. Morton

Commissioner

 

 

Attachment

 

 

FortisBC Energy Inc.

Biomethane Energy Recovery Charge Rate Methodology and

Comprehensive Review of a Revised Renewable Gas Program