ORDER NUMBER
G-145-23
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Corix Multi-Utility Services Inc.
Burnaby Mountain District Energy Utility
2022 Deferral Account Report for the Simon Fraser University Customer
and Application regarding the SFU Rider 1
BEFORE:
B. A. Magnan, Chair
E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner
on June 15, 2023
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On June 1, 2023, pursuant to section 61(4) of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), Corix Multi-Utility Services Inc. (Corix) filed its 2022 report on the Fuel Cost Deferral Account (FCDA) and the Property Tax Deferral Account (PTDA) for the Simon Fraser University (SFU), a customer of Corix’s Burnaby Mountain District Energy Utility (BMDEU). The annual report included a request for British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) approval to set the SFU Rider 1 to $1,616 per MW of Nominated Capacity per month, effective during the period from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 (Application), in accordance with the rate-setting mechanism approved through BCUC Order G-279-21 dated September 24, 2021;
B. On September 15, 2017, the BCUC issued Decision and Order C-5-17, which granted Corix a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct the central energy plant at the BMDEU. Order C-5-17 also approved the use of the FCDA and the PTDA for SFU;
C. On September 24, 2021, the BCUC issued Decision and Order G-279-21 regarding the BMDEU 2020-2023 Revenue Requirements and Rates Application. Order G-279-21 approved SFU Rider 1 and SFU Rider 2 to amortize the balances in the FCDA and PTDA respectively using a 12-month amortization period;
D. On December 31, 2022, the FCDA had a deficit balance of $193,916;
E. Corix proposes to set the SFU Rider 1 to $1,616 per MW of Nominated Capacity per month, effective during the period from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. The proposed SFU Rider 1 utilizes a 12-month amortization period and is consistent with the methodology approved through BCUC Order G-279-21;
F. To date, property taxes have not been assessed in relation to the provision of thermal energy service to SFU. As such, the PTDA remains unused at this time; and
G. The BCUC has reviewed the Application in accordance with the criteria set out by Order G-279-21 and determines that setting the SFU Rider 1 to the proposed amount is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 61(4) of the UCA, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. Corix is approved to set the SFU Rider 1 to $1,616 per MW of Nominated Capacity per month, effective during the period from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
2. Corix is directed to notify SFU no later than the date the next monthly bill is issued.
3. Corix is directed to file revised tariff pages for acceptance by the BCUC within 30 days from the date of issuance of this Order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 15th day of June 2023.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
B.A. Magnan
Commissioner