Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-217-23

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

Corix Multi-Utility Services Inc.

Neighbourhood District Energy System at the University of British Columbia

Application to Flow Through Energy Costs

BEFORE:

E. B. Lockhart, Panel Chair

B. A. Magnan, Commissioner

on August 15, 2023

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On July 7, 2023, Corix Multi-Utility Services Inc. (Corix) submitted an application to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) seeking approval to flow-through energy costs for its Neighbourhood District Energy System at the University of British Columbia (UBC NDES) using an Energy Cost Reconciliation Account (ECRA) and an associated Variable Energy Charge (Application), pursuant to section 61(4) of the Utilities Commission Act;

B.      In the Application, Corix, among other things, proposes:

            i.         To replace the existing Variable Charge with a Variable Energy Charge, which recovers only energy costs, commencing on September 1, 2023;

          ii.         To establish an Energy Cost Reconciliation Account (ECRA) commencing on September 1, 2023, and to discontinue capturing energy related variances in the Revenue Deficiency Deferral Account (RDDA) after August 31, 2023;

        iii.         To establish a Variable Energy Charge rate setting mechanism and a regulatory process to adjust the Variable Energy Charge;

        iv.         To set the new Variable Energy Charge per kWh at $0.0516, effective September 1, 2023, and rescind the Variable Charge per kWh rates in the tariff that was previously approved in Order G-84-15 for the period from September 1, 2023 to year 2034;

          v.         That, if the final order regarding this Application has not yet been issued by the BCUC before August 31, 2023, (i) the Variable Energy Charge per kWh be set at $0.0516, effective September 1, 2023, on an interim basis, and (ii) the Variable Charge be set at $0.0000 per kWh, effective September 1, 2023, on an interim basis;

        vi.         That, if any calculation or adjustment is required arising from interim and final rates differences, those adjustments be placed into the ECRA for future recovery; and

C.      The BCUC has reviewed the Application and considers that the following interim approvals are warranted and establishes a regulatory timetable for further review of the Application.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       Pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act, the Variable Energy Charge of $0.0516 per kWh including the establishment of the associated ECRA to capture energy related variances, and the Variable Charge of $0.0000 per kWh, are approved on an interim and refundable or recoverable basis, effective September 1, 2023. The BCUC will determine the manner by which any variance between approved interim rates and permanent rates, including interest if any, will be refunded to or collected from customers at the time the BCUC renders its final decision on the Application.

2.       Corix is directed to file revised tariff pages reflecting the approved interim rates for endorsement by the BCUC within 30 days of the issuance of this order.

3.       A written hearing process is established for the review of the Application in accordance with the Regulatory Timetable, as set out in Appendix A to this order.

4.       Corix is directed to publish the Application and the regulatory timetable on its website at: https://www.corix.com/ by no later than Monday, August 21, 2023, until the deadline to submit letters of comment, Thursday, October 12, 2023.

5.       Corix is directed to notify all customers affected by the proposed rate change of this Application and to provide them with a copy of this order, by no later than Monday, August 28, 2023.

6.       Corix is directed to provide by Tuesday, August 29, 2023, written confirmation of compliance with Directives 4 and 5 of this order.

7.       In accordance with the BCUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure attached as Appendix A to Order G-72-23, parties who wish to participate in the proceeding may submit a letter of comment by the date established in the Regulatory Timetable attached as Appendix A to this order.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this            15^th          day of August, 2023.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

E. B. Lockhart

Commissioner

Attachment

Corix Multi-Utility Services Inc.

Neighbourhood District Energy System at the University of British Columbia

Application to Flow Through Energy Costs