ORDER NUMBER
G-108-24
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Interim Billing for Customers Served under Rate Schedules 1894 and 1895
to Accommodate Transition to Rate Schedule 1830
BEFORE:
T. A. Loski, Commissioner
on April 11, 2024
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On March 25, 2024, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) requested British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) approval (i) to allow Rate Schedule (RS) 1895 (Clean B.C. Industrial Electrification Rate – Fuel Switching) to be available to customers that are eligible to receive service under RS 1830 starting April 1, 2024 and (ii) for BC Hydro to apply RS 1830 energy and demand charges as the basis for billing customers on RS 1894 (Clean B.C. Industrial Electrification Rate – Clean Industry and Innovation) and RS 1895, on an interim and refundable/recoverable basis, until amended rate schedules for RS 1894 and RS 1895 are filed with and approved by the BCUC (Application);
B. On March 16, 2023, BC Hydro filed a Transmission Service Rate Design Application with the BCUC, which, among other things, included a proposal to transition RS 1823 and RS 1827 customers to a new, flat rate structure with a lower energy charge and a higher demand charge over a three-year transition period (RS 1830);
C. By Order G-353-23 dated December 15, 2023, the BCUC approved BC Hydro’s transfer of 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 submits that the request as set out in the Application would minimize the disruption of the RS 1830 rate transition for affected RS 1894 and RS 1895 customers until amended rate schedules are filed with and approved by the BCUC;
E. On April 10, 2024, BC Hydro filed supplemental information to the Application by way of responses to BCUC staff questions; and
F. The BCUC has reviewed the Application and evidence and considers the following determinations are warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 58 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. BC Hydro is approved to allow RS 1895 to be available to customers that are eligible to receive service under RS 1830 and to apply RS 1830 energy and demand charges as the basis for billing customers on RS 1894 and RS 1895 on an interim and refundable/recoverable basis starting April 1, 2024 and until amended rate schedules for RS 1894 and RS 1895 are filed with and approved by the BCUC.
2. BC Hydro is directed to file the amended rate schedules for RS 1894 and 1895 with the BCUC for permanent approval by August 30, 2024.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 11th day of April 2024.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
T. A. Loski
Commissioner