ORDER NUMBER
C-2-24
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Off-Grid Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
BEFORE:
T. A. Loski, Panel Chair
A. K. Fung, KC, Commissioner
on April 30, 2024
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On March 5, 2024, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for Off-Grid Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations (Application);
B. In the Application, pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), BC Hydro seeks a CPCN to construct and operate three EV charging stations that are outside of BC Hydro’s integrated area and non-integrated areas in northern B.C. at the following locations: Tetsa River Lodge in Northern Rockies, BC; Liard Hot Springs Lodge in Northern Rockies, BC; and Bell 2 Lodge in Kitimat-Stikine A, BC;
C. On April 3, 2024, BC Hydro filed an update to the Application in which BC Hydro requests the addition to the Application of a fourth EV charging station located at Buffalo Inn in Pink Mountain, BC;
D. BC Hydro states that the four EV charging stations which are the subject of the Application are prescribed undertakings for the purposes of section 18 of the Clean Energy Act because their purpose is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in British Columbia and they meet the requirements of section 5(2) of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation (GGRR);
E. By orders G-85-24 and G-99-24, the BCUC established a written public hearing process and timetable that included public notice and an opportunity for filing of letters of comment;
F. Two letters of comment were filed in support of the Application;
G. On April 29, 2024, BC Hydro filed a reply to the letters of comment;
H. The BCUC has not reviewed the Application from a public interest perspective as these EV charging stations are prescribed undertakings under section 5(2) of the GGRR; and
I. The BCUC has reviewed the Application’s compliance with the requirements of the Clean Energy Act and the GGRR and makes the following determination.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act, BC Hydro is hereby granted a CPCN for the construction and operation of the following four EV charging stations, located at: Tetsa River Lodge in Northern Rockies, BC; Liard Hot Springs Lodge in Northern Rockies, BC; Bell 2 Lodge in Kitimat-Stikine A, BC; and Buffalo Inn in Pink Mountain, BC.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 30th day of April 2024.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
T. A. Loski
Commissioner