ORDER NUMBER

G-260-23

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

2021 Integrated Resource Plan

BEFORE:

M. Jaccard, Panel Chair

C. M. Brewer, Commissioner

T. A. Loski, Commissioner

on October 3, 2023

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On December 21, 2021, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed its 2021 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), pursuant to section 44.1 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) and in accordance with Order G-28-21 dated January 27, 2021;

B.       By Order G-220-21 dated August 18, 2023, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable, which included an Oral Hearing on load forecast scenarios and a workshop on New Energy Acquisitions;

C.       By letter dated September 19, 2023, the proceeding was adjourned pending parties’ submissions regarding an amendment to the Panel;

D.      On September 28, 2023, parties provided submissions regarding the Panel amendment; and

E.       The BCUC determines establishing a further regulatory timetable is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE for the reasons outlined in Appendix B of this order, the BCUC establishes an updated timetable as outlined in Appendix A of this order.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this   3^rd   day of October 2023.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

M. Jaccard

Commissioner

Attachment

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

2021 Integrated Resource Plan

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

2021 Integrated Resource Plan

1.0              Introduction

On December 21, 2021, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed its 2021 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), pursuant to section 44.1 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) and in accordance with Order G-28-21 dated January 27, 2021.

By Order G-220-23 dated August 18, 2023, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable, which included an Oral Hearing on load forecast scenarios and a workshop on BC Hydro’s near-term planned acquisition of approximately 3,700 GWh of clean and renewable energy (New Energy Acquisition). By letter dated September 19, 2023, the proceeding was adjourned pending parties’ submissions regarding an amendment to the Panel. On September 28, 2023, parties provided submissions regarding the Panel amendment, and the following parties provided submissions regarding next steps in the proceeding:

•         BC Hydro submits the BCUC should use one of the dates currently being held for oral process as a procedural conference, to determine the appropriate next steps in this proceeding and to identify any opportunities to facilitate a more efficient resolution of the outstanding issues.[1] Commercial Energy Consumers of BC (the CEC)[2] and Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council (NTC)[3] agree.

•         BC Sustainable Energy Association and Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association (BCSEA-VEVA) suggest the current timetable is unworkable, and recommend inviting written submissions from parties on next steps, and then issue an amended regulatory timetable on an expedited basis. BCSEA-VEVA includes specific suggestions for procedural issues that should be resolved.[4]

•         Capital Power Corporation (Capital Power) requests that the current October 16, 2023 workshop date be maintained to ensure a timely opportunity to explore the details of BC Hydro’s Call for Power process.[5]

In these reasons for decision, the Panel provides further information regarding each of the steps in the regulatory timetable.

2.0              Oral Hearing on Load Forecast Scenarios

By Order G-220-23 dated August 18, 2023, the BCUC had scheduled an Oral Hearing on BC Hydro’s load forecast scenarios for September 25 to September 26, 2023 and an Oral hearing on intervener evidence (on load forecast scenarios only) for October 12 to 13, 2023. An additional placeholder date for the oral hearings was scheduled on October 11, 2023.

On September 13, 2023, the following parties filed requests stating the intervener that they wish to cross-examine at the Oral Hearing:

•         BC Old Age Pensioners Organization et al. (BCOAPO) requests cross examination of Clean Energy BC (CEBC) and Residential Consumer Intervener Association (RCIA);

•         Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs request cross examination of FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc. (FortisBC) and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP);

•         Nu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) requests cross examination of Commercial Energy Association of BC (the CEC) and RCIA; and

•         BC Hydro has not identified a need to cross-examine any interveners at the Oral Hearing. However, there may be matters raised by interveners during the course of the Oral Hearing that are related to intervener evidence and result in BC Hydro subsequently identifying a need to cross-examine an intervener on that evidence.

By letter dated September 14, 2023, BC Hydro filed a proposal for potential process at the oral hearing to address matters related to forecasts of the individual loads of specific large industrial customers, data which
BC Hydro submits is commercially sensitive and confidential to the customer (Confidential Customer Data).
BC Hydro proposed the following:

•         If a review of customer-specific information is determined to be necessary, it should take place as a confidential in-camera hearing, with the BCUC only.

•         Further discussion on this approach, if required, could take place at the oral hearing.[6]

Panel Determination

The Panel determines an Oral hearing will take place from Wednesday, October 11 to Friday, October 13, 2023, to include cross-examination of BC Hydro witnesses and interveners who filed evidence related to load forecast scenarios.

The Panel acknowledges the shortened time for the Oral Hearing compared to the initial schedule outlined in Order G-220-23, but wishes to make use of the available dates and avoid further delays to the timetable. Subject to any determinations made by the Panel Chair at the Oral Hearing, cross-examination of BC Hydro witnesses will be limited to Wednesday, October 11 and Thursday, October 12, 2023. Cross-examination of intervener witnesses will take place on Friday, October 13, 2023. The Panel Chair reserves the right to impose time limits on parties’ cross-examination to ensure the efficient completion of the Oral Hearing.

The Panel notes that cross-examination of intervener witnesses is limited to those interveners that filed evidence in the proceeding related to load forecast scenarios. Accordingly, the Panel clarifies that Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs may not cross-examine FortisBC or CAPP at the Oral Hearing. For further clarity, cross-examination of intervener witnesses on Friday, October 13, 2023, will be limited to those parties that filed prior requests with the BCUC: BCOAPO, NTC, and BC Hydro (if required).

With respect to BC Hydro’s proposed process regarding Confidential Customer Data, the Panel determines that in the interests of the efficient completion of the Oral Hearing, further process on this matter at the Oral Hearing or a dedicated hearing date on Confidential Customer Data is not warranted.

Further Information on the Oral Hearing, and Registration

The BCUC will conduct the Oral Hearing in-person. BC Hydro and interveners registered as participants of the BC Hydro 2021 IRP proceeding must register to attend the Oral Hearing and provide a list of attendees, including each of their contact information by emailing the Commission Secretary at Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com to confirm their attendance at the Oral Hearing by Friday, October 6, 2023.

To facilitate an efficient and effective Oral Hearing, the Panel strongly encourages witness panels and cross-examiners to attend the Oral Hearing in-person.

Parties wishing to participate virtually are asked to submit a written request to the BCUC with an explanation supporting such a request, and in confidence, if necessary, by emailing Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com by Friday, October 6, 2023. Parties who are participating virtually must have access to Microsoft Teams and a stable internet connection. Once virtual participation requests have been accepted by the BCUC, registered virtual participants may be contacted to schedule an audio/video test session in advance of the Oral Hearing to test their connection and equipment. Virtual participants will be provided Microsoft Teams meeting link upon registration.

Other general information regarding what to expect at the Oral Hearing may be found in Exhibit A-43.[7]

3.0              Workshop on New Energy Acquisitions

Panel Determination

The Panel determines the workshop regarding BC Hydro’s New Energy Acquisition will take place on Monday, October 16, 2023, as previously scheduled. The Panel views this will avoid further disruption to the timetable in the short-term. The scope and format of the workshop remain unchanged from the information outlined in Exhibit A-48.[8]

The BCUC will conduct the workshop in-person. BC Hydro and interveners registered as participants of the BC Hydro 2021 IRP proceeding must register to attend the workshop and provide a list of attendees, including each of their contact information by emailing the Commission Secretary at Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com to confirm their attendance at the workshop by Friday, October 6, 2023.

Parties wishing to participate virtually are asked to submit a written request to the BCUC with an explanation supporting such a request, and in confidence, if necessary, by emailing Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com by Friday, October 6, 2023. Parties who are participating virtually must have access to Microsoft Teams and a stable internet connection. Once virtual participation requests have been accepted by the BCUC, registered virtual participants may be contacted to schedule an audio/video test session in advance of the workshop to test their connection and equipment. Virtual participants will be provided Microsoft Teams meeting link upon registration.

4.0              Further Regulatory Process

Shortly after the conclusion of the New Energy Acquisition workshop, the Panel intends to issue a proposed regulatory process outlining next steps for the proceeding, which will include the opportunity for parties to provide written submissions on the proposed process. Following written submissions, the Panel will issue a further regulatory timetable.