Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-345-23

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Application for Reconsideration of Directive 3(b) of BCUC Order No. G-47-18

Related to the Westbank Substation Upgrade Project

 

BEFORE:

A. C. Dennier, Panel Chair

M. Jaccard, Commissioner

 

on December 14, 2023

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On November 21, 2023, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) pursuant to Directive 3(b) of the Fiscal 2017 to Fiscal 2019 Revenue Requirements Application (RRA) Decision and Order G-47-18 (Application). In the Application, BC Hydro seeks leave to apply to reconsider Directive 3(b), and an order varying Directive 3(b) to remove the requirement for BC Hydro to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the Westbank Substation Upgrade Project.

B.       Directive 3(b) of Decision and Order G-47-18 directed BC Hydro, pursuant to section 45(5) of the Utilities Commission Act, to file a joint CPCN application for the West Kelowna Transmission Project (Transmission Project) and the Westbank Substation Upgrade Project (Substation Project).

C.       In the Application, BC Hydro states that its request for reconsideration and variance of Directive 3(b) is on the basis of new information and a material change in circumstances.

D.      In the Application, BC Hydro proposes a regulatory process for the review of the Application, seeking a decision on reconsideration by May 31, 2024.

E.       The BCUC has reviewed the Application and considers that the establishment of a regulatory timetable, including a written comment process, is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

 

1.         BC Hydro’s request for permission to apply for reconsideration of Directive 3(b) of Decision and Order G-47-18 is approved and the Panel determines that the request for reconsideration should proceed to a hearing.

2.         A regulatory timetable for the review of the Application is established, as set out in Appendix A to this order.

3.         BC Hydro is directed to make the Application available on its website and to provide a copy of this order to all registered interveners in the BC Hydro Fiscal 2017 to Fiscal 2019 RRA proceeding, the BC Hydro Fiscal 2023 to 2025 RRA proceeding and the Westbank First Nation by Wednesday, December 20, 2023.

4.         BC Hydro is directed to provide confirmation to the BCUC that it has complied with Directive 3 of this order by Thursday, December 21, 2023.

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this                14^th             day of December 2023.

 

BY ORDER

 

Original signed by:

 

A. C. Dennier

Commissioner

 

 

Attachment

 

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Application for Reconsideration of Directive 3(b) of BCUC Order No. G-47-18

Related to the Westbank Substation Upgrade Project