Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-352-23

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project and Strathcona Discharge Upgrade Project Application

 

BEFORE:

A. K. Fung, KC, Panel Chair

W. M. Everett, KC, Commissioner

M. Kresivo, KC, Commissioner

 

on December 14, 2023

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On June 14, 2023, the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) pursuant to Section 44.2(3) of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for acceptance of each of the schedules of capital expenditures BC Hydro anticipates making for implementation of the Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project (Ladore Project) and the Strathcona Discharge Upgrade Project (Strathcona Project) (together, the Projects) and a determination that making the expenditures for the Projects is in the public interest (Application);

B.      The Ladore and Strathcona facilities form part of the Campbell River System, which comprises dams, reservoirs, and generating facilities that are located along the Campbell River on Vancouver Island. BC Hydro submits the Projects are required to address dam safety deficiencies related to the Ladore and Strathcona facilities’ seismic withstand and water discharge capacity that could lead to overtopping and failure of the dams;

C.      By Order G-189-23, dated July 18, 2023, the BCUC, among other things, established a written hearing process and a regulatory timetable. The regulatory timetable was subsequently amended by Order
G-303-23, dated November 9, 2023, and by Order G-328-23 dated December 1, 2023;  

D.      By letter dated December 12, 2023, BC Hydro requested an adjournment in the proceeding until such time that BC Hydro can report back with a status update on project cost information for the Projects. In its letter, BC Hydro notes that it anticipates an update can be provided to the BCUC by January 25, 2024; and

E.       The BCUC has reviewed the BC Hydro letter and considers that adjournment of the proceeding is warranted.

 

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

 

1.       The proceeding is adjourned at the request of BC Hydro.

2.       BC Hydro is directed to provide an update on the status of Project cost information for the Projects on or before January 25, 2024.

 

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. K. Fung, KC

Commissioner