Orders

 

ORDER NUMBER

G-286-23

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc.

2023 Revenue Requirements Application for the Core Thermal Energy System

 

BEFORE:

T. A. Loski, Panel Chair

A. C. Dennier, Commissioner

E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner

 

on October 20, 2023

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On December 1, 2022, Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc. (Creative Energy) filed with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) its 2023 Revenue Requirements Application (RRA) for the thermal energy system serving downtown Vancouver (Core Steam) and Northeast False Creek (NEFC) (together, Core TES) and requested, among other things, the following: 

                  (i)            interim and permanent approval of thermal energy service rates for the Core TES which are equivalent to an average rate of $11.20 per thousand pounds (M#) of steam and the system contribution charge for customers connected to the NEFC system, each as set out in Appendix B to the Application, effective January 1, 2023; and 

                (ii)            approval of a proposed Inter-Affiliate Conduct and Transfer Pricing Policy (IAC/TPP) filed as Appendix C to the Application (collectively, Application);

B.      On December 20, 2022, by Order G-379-22, the BCUC approved, on an interim and refundable basis, effective January 1, 2023, the thermal energy rates as set forth in Appendix B to the Application and the same system contribution charge for customers connected to the NEFC system as approved by Order G-345-22A dated November 29, 2022 in the matter of the Creative Energy Application for Rates for the Core Steam and NEFC Systems (2022 RRA Decision). By the same order, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, which included, among other things, intervener registration and Creative Energy filing an evidentiary update (First Evidentiary Update) to the Application, addressing the relevant directives and determinations in the 2022 RRA Decision;

C.      Pursuant to Order G-345-22A, on January 27, 2023, Creative Energy filed its First Evidentiary Update as directed, with supporting schedules amending its 2023 revenue requirements and request for permanent approval of thermal energy service rates from an average rate of $11.20 per M# of steam to $11.25 per M# of steam;

D.      On February 9, 2023, by Order G-27-23, the BCUC requested submissions from Creative Energy and interveners on the directives and BCUC guidance in the 2022 RRA Decision and in the decision issued concurrently with Order G-349-21 in the matter of Creative Energy’s IAC/TPP (Original IAC/TPP) filed as part of the Creative Energy 2021 RRA for the Core Steam System (2021 IAC/TPP Decision), that are relevant to the Application. Creative Energy and interveners filed submissions on February 27, 2023 and March 6, 2023, respectively, and Creative Energy filed its reply on March 13, 2023;

E.       On May 9, 2023, the BCUC issued Decision and Order G-110-23 relating to the proposed IAC/TPP filed as part of Appendix C to the Application, which, among other things, determined that Creative Energy has contravened certain directives from Order G-349-21 of the 2021 IAC/TPP Decision and directed Creative Energy to file a revised IAC/TPP (Revised IAC/TPP) addressing the determinations, directives, key findings and BCUC guidance in that Decision and a second evidentiary update (Second Evidentiary Update) to the 2023 Core TES revenue requirements. The BCUC also established a further regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, which included one round of BCUC and intervener information requests (IRs) to Creative Energy (IR No. 1), with further process to be determined;

F.       Pursuant to Order G-110-23, on June 8, 2023, Creative Energy filed its Revised IAC/TPP and Second Evidentiary Update as directed, with no change to the requested thermal energy service rates;

G.      On August 9, 2023, Creative Energy filed its responses to IR No. 1 and on August 10, 2023, Creative Energy filed a third evidentiary update (Third Evidentiary Update) with supporting schedules amending its 2023 revenue requirements and request for permanent approval of thermal energy service rates from an average rate of $11.25 per M# of steam in the First Evidentiary Update to $11.29 per M# of steam; 

H.      On August 18, 2023, by Order G-221-23, the BCUC established a further regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, which included a second round of BCUC and intervener IRs to Creative Energy (IR No. 2) and Creative Energy and interveners’ submissions on further regulatory process;

I.         On October 5, 2023 Creative Energy filed its responses to IR No. 2, and subsequently, pursuant to Order G-221-23, all parties filed submissions on further process outlining that they are prepared to proceed to final argument; and

J.        The BCUC has reviewed the evidentiary record and submissions on further process and determines that establishing a regulatory timetable for final and reply arguments is warranted.

 

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC establishes a further regulatory timetable, as set out in Appendix A to this order.

 

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this              20^th           day of October 2023.

 

BY ORDER

 

Original signed by:

 

T. A. Loski

Commissioner

 

 

Attachment

 

 

Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc.

2023 Revenue Requirements Application for the Core Thermal Energy System