ORDER NUMBER
G-8-24
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Energy Inc.
Application for Approval of an Operating Agreement between
the Corporation of the City of Merritt and FortisBC Energy Inc.
BEFORE:
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
on January 12, 2024
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On November 27, 2023, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) pursuant to section 23(1)(g) of the Utilities Commission Act for approval of an operating agreement, dated November 15, 2023, entered into between the Corporation of the City of Merritt (City of Merritt) and FEI, effective January 1, 2024 (FEI-Merritt Operating Agreement) (Application);
B. By Order C-15-03, dated November 27, 2003, the BCUC approved the current operating agreement between FEI (through its predecessor company Terasen Gas Inc.) and the City of Merritt. The term of the current operating agreement expires on December 31, 2023;
C. By Order G-325-23, dated November 30, 2023, the BCUC established a public hearing process and a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, which included public notice, intervener registration and letters of comment. The regulatory timetable established the deadline for intervener registration and letters of comment as January 10, 2024;
D. By Order G-325-23, dated November 30, 2023, the BCUC also granted interim approval of the FEI-Merritt Operating Agreement, pending a final determination by the BCUC on the Application;
E. By January 10, 2024, no intervener registration requests or letters of comment were received by the BCUC; and
F. The BCUC has reviewed the Application and determines that approval is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 23(1)(g) of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders that the FEI-Merritt Operating Agreement is approved on a permanent basis, effective January 1, 2024.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 12th day of January 2024.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
B. A. Magnan
Commissioner