Orders

 

ORDER NUMBER

G-67-24

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Public Electric Vehicle Charging Service Rates

 

BEFORE:

A. K. Fung, KC, Panel Chair

E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner

 

on March 13, 2024

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On July 28, 2023, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval of the BC Hydro Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Service Rates Application (Application) pursuant to sections 58 to 61 and 90 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) including the following:

                                 i.            the rates and terms and conditions as set out in Rate Schedule (RS) 4100 for Public Electric Vehicle Charging Service, on an interim and permanent basis;

                               ii.            the rescindment of RS 1360, 1560, and 1561, on a permanent basis; and

                             iii.            the establishment of a separate class of service for Public EV Charging Service.

B.      By Order G-89-21 dated March 23, 2021, the BCUC approved time-based rates for BC Hydro’s EV fast charging on an interim, refundable and recoverable basis, effective May 1, 2021, as set out in RS 1360, 1560 and 1561 (2021 EV Interim Rates) in relation to BC Hydro’s Public EV Fast Charging Service Rates Application dated March 5, 2021 (2021 Application);

C.      By Order G-18-22 dated January 26, 2022, the BCUC denied BC Hydro’s 2021 Application on a permanent basis, and ordered that the 2021 EV Interim Rates were to remain in place until permanent rates are set by the BCUC;

D.      In the Application, as amended, BC Hydro requests BCUC approval of the following time-based and energy-based EV charging rates, as set out in its new RS 4100:

 

E.       By Orders G-219-23, G-259-23 and G-263-23 and letter dated December 12, 2023, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, which included public notice, letters of comment, intervener registration, one round of information requests to BC Hydro, a streamlined review process (SRP), and written final arguments;

F.       By Order G-354-23 dated December 18, 2023, the BCUC approved certain time-based rates under RS 4100 on an interim basis, effective January 1, 2024 (2024 EV Interim Rates), and directed BC Hydro to maintain RS 1360, 1560 and 1561 until the BCUC renders its final decision on the Application;

G.      At the SRP, BC Hydro clarified that it continues to seek approval of the energy-based rates under RS 4100 on a permanent basis upon the BCUC’s final decision on the Application; and

H.      The BCUC has reviewed the Application, evidence and arguments filed in the proceeding and determines that approval of permanent energy-based rates is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to sections 58 to 61 of the UCA, for the reasons stated in the decision issued concurrently with this order, the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       The energy-based rates for BC Hydro’s public EV charging service are approved on a permanent basis, specifically the proposed rates of 28.28 ¢/kWh for Level 2 charging and 34.34 ¢/kWh for all fast charging stations, before any applicable Deferral Account Rate Rider or Trade Income Rate Rider adjustments.

2.       BC Hydro is directed to implement the approved energy-based rates by June 1, 2024, and maintain the 2024 EV Interim Rates until it completes the transition from time-based rates to energy-based rates.

3.       The extended stay charge of 40 ¢ per minute is approved for BC Hydro public EV fast charging stations, to take effect at the same time as the implementation of the approved energy-based rates.

4.       RS 1360, 1560 and 1561 are rescinded. BC Hydro is not required to make any retroactive adjustments between the interim time-based rates and the permanent energy-based rates as approved by this order.

5.       The terms and conditions of service under RS 4100 are approved subject to adjustments set out in the decision. BC Hydro is directed to file revised tariff pages with the BCUC for endorsement at least 30 days in advance of permanent energy-based rates coming into effect.

6.       BC Hydro is directed to comply with all other directives set out in the decision issued concurrently with this order.

 

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this               13^th           day of March, 2024.

 

BY ORDER

 

Original signed by:

 

A. K. Fung, KC

Commissioner