ORDER NUMBER
G-359-23
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc.
Updated Fuel Cost Adjustment Charge Change
BEFORE:
B. A. Magnan, Panel Chair
E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner
E. A. Brown, Commissioner
W. E. Royle, Commissioner
on December 21, 2023
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On November 3, 2023, Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc. (Creative Energy) submitted an application requesting approval of a Fuel Cost Adjustment Charge (FCAC) of $16.95 per thousand pounds of steam (M#) and to set the FCAC Rate Rider at $0.00/M# effective November 1, 2023 through October 31, 2024 (Application). In the Application, Creative Energy also requested an amendment to BCUC Order G-283-23 to remove Directive 5 as it considers this requirement is no longer necessary;
B. By Order G-283-23, dated October 20, 2023, the BCUC approved, as requested in an earlier application from Creative Energy, an FCAC rate of $19.40/M#, effective May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023 and an FCAC Rate Rider of $2.00/M#, effective May 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 on a permanent basis. Directive 5 of Order G-283-23 states that Creative Energy is directed to file with the BCUC, by no later than January 15, 2024, amended tariff pages reflecting the expiry of the FCAC Rate Rider;
C. By Letter L-47-23 dated October 26, 2023, the BCUC accepted a revised contracting strategy where Creative Energy switched natural gas service from FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) Rate 7 Interruptible Service to FEI Rate 5 Firm Service effective November 1, 2023;
D. By Order G-314-23 dated November 16, 2023, the BCUC approved the FCAC of $16.95/M# and the FCAC Rate Rider of $0.00/M# on an interim and refundable basis, effective November 1, 2023;
E. On December 8, 2023, Creative Energy filed responses to BCUC staff questions to provide additional information about the Application. Among other things, Creative Energy indicated in its responses that it was amenable to having an FCAC and FCAC rate rider without an effective end date and to report on the Fuel Cost Stabilization Account (FCSA) on an annual basis; and
F. The BCUC has reviewed the Application and considers that the following approvals are warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 58 to 61 and 99 of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. The FCAC of $16.95/M# and the FCAC Rate Rider of $0.00/M# are approved on a permanent basis, effective November 1, 2023, and shall remain in effect until the BCUC determines otherwise.
2. Creative Energy must inform its customers of the approved changes to the FCAC and the FCAC Rate Rider in a timely manner by way of a bill insert or bill message included with the next bill.
3. Creative Energy is directed to file a report on the FCSA balance with the BCUC by October 31, 2024, including but not limited to forecast fuel cost and FCSA balances (applying the prevailing rates for demand, commodity, carbon tax and any other charges and levies) for the following twelve months and, if necessary, apply for proposed changes to the FCAC and the FCAC Rate Rider.
4. Directive No. 5 in Order G-283-23 is rescinded.
5. Creative Energy must file with the BCUC, within 20 days of the date of this order, amended tariff pages in accordance with the terms of this order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 21st day of December 2023.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
B. A. Magnan
Commissioner