ORDER NUMBER
G-167-24
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Energy Inc.
Renewable Natural Gas Tariff Amendment Request
BEFORE:
E. B. Lockhart, Panel Chair
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
on June 20, 2024
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On May 31, 2024, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for approval of amendments to the rate schedules and General Terms and Conditions of FEI’s tariff (Tariff), effective July 1, 2024, to implement the BCUC’s decision on its revised Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) program (Decision and Order G-77-24 or RNG Decision) issued on March 20, 2024 (Application);
B. In the Application, FEI also addresses a number of other directives set out in the RNG Decision;
C. Concurrently, on May 31, 2024, FEI filed a separate application (Implementation of the RNG Blend Service, Storage and Transportation RNG Rider, and Changes to the RNG Charge Application) seeking the BCUC’s approval of certain rates and a new deferral account, effective July 1, 2024, to implement the RNG Decision;
D. On June 13, 2024, by Order G-160-24, the BCUC approved the rates requested in the FEI Implementation of the RNG Blend Service, Storage and Transportation RNG Rider, and Changes to the RNG Charge Application on an interim and refundable/recoverable basis. Directive 3 of that order directed FEI to file revised tariff pages reflecting the interim approvals for BCUC endorsement within 30 days;
E. On June 19, 2024, FEI filed a letter to the BCUC stating that given the Tariff amendments proposed in Appendix A of the Application are required to implement the RNG Decision and the rates and charges approved in Order G-160-24 are approved on an interim basis, FEI interprets that Directive 3 of Order G-160-24 is “also implicitly approving” the proposed Tariff amendments on an interim basis as they are necessary to implement the RNG Decision. Should the BCUC determine that it needs to issue another order, FEI requests that such an order be issued is as soon as possible, but by no later than June 27, 2024; and
F. The BCUC has commenced its review of the Application and FEI’s letter dated June 19, 2024, and finds that the following approvals are warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the UCA, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. The amendments to FEI’s General Terms and Conditions and rate schedules, including the new rate schedules, filed in Appendix A of the Application are approved on an interim basis, effective July 1, 2024.
2. FEI is directed to file revised tariff pages reflecting the interim approval in Directive 1 for BCUC endorsement within 30 days of the date of this order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 20th June 2024.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
E. B. Lockhart
Commissioner