ORDER NUMBER
G-355-23
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Energy Inc.
Interim Rates and Agreement for D. Jones Trucking Ltd. for
Fuelling Service from the Port Kells LNG Fuelling Station
BEFORE:
B. A. Magnan, Panel Chair
W. E. Royle, Commissioner
On December 19, 2023
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On December 14, 2023, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act, for approval of the rates established in a fuelling service agreement between FEI and D. Jones Trucking Ltd. (D. Jones) dated December 13, 2023 (D. Jones-Port Kells Agreement) for fuelling service at the liquified natural gas (LNG) station located in Port Kells in Langley, BC (Port Kells Fuelling Station) on an interim basis, effective January 1, 2024 (Application);
B. On May 5, 2021, FEI and Pacific Coast Heavy Truck Group (Pacific Coast) entered into a fuelling equipment licence agreement (Pacific Coast Host Agreement) for access and use of a portion of Pacific Coast’s land located in Port Kells in Langley, BC to establish the Port Kells Fuelling Station;
C. By Order G-230-21 dated July 28, 2021, the BCUC determined that the Port Kells Fuelling Station met the requirements of a prescribed undertaking as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation. The order also approved FEI to use the rate design and rates established in the fuelling services agreements with Vedder Transport Ltd. and Ken Johnson Trucking Ltd. for LNG fuelling service at the Port Kells Fuelling Station on an interim and recoverable/refundable basis, effective June 8, 2021;
D. The D. Jones-Port Kells Agreement establishes the terms, conditions, and rates for D. Jones to receive LNG fuelling service from the Port Kells Fuelling Station, effective January 1, 2024. The rates established in the
D. Jones-Port Kells Agreement are consistent with the rates and rate design approved by Order G-230-21; and
E. The BCUC has reviewed the Application and determines that approval of the rates established for D. Jones in the D. Jones-Port Kells Agreement on an interim basis is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. The rates established for D. Jones in the D. Jones-Port Kells Agreement are approved on an interim and refundable/recoverable basis, effective January 1, 2024.
2. FEI is directed to file an application with the BCUC seeking permanent rates for D. Jones to receive LNG fuelling service from the Port Kells Fuelling Station once the BCUC issues a decision on permanent rates for the Port Kells Fuelling Station.
3. FEI is directed to refund to or recover from D. Jones any variance between the interim rates and the permanent rates as determined by the BCUC following the final determination of the application seeking permanent rates for D. Jones to receive LNG fuelling service from the Port Kells Fuelling Station, with interest calculated at the average prime rate of FEI’s principal bank for its most recent year.
4. FEI is to file the D. Jones-Port Kells Agreement in tariff supplement form for endorsement by the BCUC within 15 days of the date of this order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 19th day of December 2023.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
B. A. Magnan
Commissioner