ORDER NUMBER
G-172-23
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc.
Request to Amend Reporting Deadline for the
Core Steam System Decarbonization Project Rate Design Application
Variance to Order C-5-22
BEFORE:
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
on June 29, 2023
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On June 21, 2023, Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc. (Creative Energy) requested that the filing date for Core Steam System Decarbonization Project (Project) Rate Design Application related to British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) Order C-5-22, be amended from June 30, 2023 to December 31, 2023 (Application);
B. On September 15, 2022, the BCUC issued Order C-5-22 to Creative Energy, granting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the Project, pursuant to section 44.2, 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA). Directive 5 of the Order directs Creative Energy to file a low carbon rate design application by June 30, 2023. As part of that application, Creative Energy is also directed to consider the appropriateness of implementing rate transition or mitigation mechanism(s) to address the impact of the proposed rate design on customers;
C. On November 29, 2022, the BCUC issued Order G-345-22A, regarding the Application for Rates for the Core Steam and Northeast False Creek Systems. Among other things, the Panel directs Creative Energy to provide a comprehensive proposal that includes analysis of the pros and cons for both the ratepayers and the utility of each of the feasible alternatives considered, as part of the anticipated rate design application supporting low-carbon energy service, and in addition to the BCUC directions included in the Decarbonization Project Decision; and
D. The BCUC has reviewed the Application and the related Orders and considers that an amendment to the filing deadline of the Project’s rate design application, is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 99 of the UCA, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. The directive on page 45 of the Decision accompanying Order C-5-22 is varied as follows:
The Panel directs Creative Energy to file a rate design application that addresses different customer’s needs (for example, existing customers that opt in to a specific amount of low carbon energy, new customers that require a greater amount of low carbon energy to meet the LCES requirements established by the City of Vancouver, and customers that may opt out of any low carbon energy component to their service) by December 31, 2023. As part of that application, Creative Energy is also directed to consider the appropriateness of implementing rate transition or mitigation mechanism(s) to address the impact of the proposed rate design on customers.
2. Creative Energy must file an update regarding the status of the Core Steam System Decarbonization Project Rate Design Application, including progress with respect to stakeholder consultation, with the BCUC by September 30, 2023.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 29th day of June 2023.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
B. A. Magnan
Commissioner