ORDER NUMBER
G-45-24
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Transmission Service Customers Optional Transfer to Rate Schedule 1823A prior to Rate Schedule 1830
BEFORE:
C. M. Brewer, Commissioner
on February 21, 2024
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On February 7, 2024, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) requested British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) approval to provide Rate Schedule (RS) 1823 transmission service customers with a Billing Year commencing in March 2024 (Impacted Customers), the option to transfer to RS 1823 Energy Charge A flat energy charge prior to taking service under RS 1830 in their first Billing Period commencing after April 1, 2024 (Request);
B. On March 16, 2023, pursuant to sections 58 to 60 of the Utilities Commission Act, BC Hydro filed with the BCUC a Transmission Service Rate Design Application (Application), which included a proposal to transition RS 1823 and RS 1827 customers to a new, flat rate structure (RS 1830) with a lower energy charge and higher demand charge over a three-year transition period;
C. By Order G-353-23 dated December 15, 2023, and the decision issued concurrently, the BCUC approved the Application including BC Hydro’s proposal to transfer customers from RS 1823 to RS 1830 at the start of their first Billing Period commencing on or after April 1, 2024, unless they are eligible and elect to stay on RS 1823;
D. BC Hydro expects its Request would simplify the rate transition for some RS 1823 customers, reduce the amount of administrative work for BC Hydro and Impacted Customers, improve regulatory efficiency and provide bill certainty to customers that elect to pay RS 1823 Energy Charge A for the one-month period; and
E. The BCUC has reviewed BC Hydro’s Request and considers that approval is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:
1. BC Hydro is approved to provide Impacted Customers the option to transfer to RS 1823 Energy Charge A flat energy charge for the Billing Period that commences in March 2024 prior to taking service under RS 1830 in their first Billing Period commencing after April 1, 2024.
2. BC Hydro is directed to provide a copy of its Request and this order to Impacted Customers by February 28, 2024.
3. BC Hydro is directed to provide confirmation to the BCUC that it has complied with Directive 2 of this order by March 1, 2024.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 21st day of February 2024.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
C. M. Brewer
Commissioner