ORDER NUMBER
G-16-24
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 City of Salmon Arm and FortisBC Energy Inc.
BEFORE:
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
on January 18, 2024
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On November 29, 2023, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval of an operating agreement dated November 28, 2023, between the City of Salmon Arm and FEI effective January 1, 2024 (FEI-Salmon Arm Operating Agreement or Application), pursuant to section 23(1)(g) of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA);
B. By Order C-7-03, dated September 2, 2003, the BCUC approved the current Operating Agreement and Addendum between FEI (through its predecessor companies Terasen Gas Inc. and BC Gas Utility Ltd.) and the City of Salmon Arm. The term of the current Operating Agreement expires on December 31, 2023;
C. By Order G-338-23, dated December 11, 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 17, 2024;
D. By Order G-338-23, dated December 11, 2023, the BCUC granted interim approval of the FEI-Salmon Arm Operating Agreement, pending a final determination by the BCUC on the Application;
E. By January 17, 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-Salmon Arm 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 18th day of January 2024.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
B. A. Magnan
Commissioner