Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-222-24

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

FortisBC Energy Inc.

Complaint filed by P.T.

 

BEFORE:

B. A. Magnan, Commissioner

E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner

 

on August 16, 2024

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On January 21, 2024, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) received a complaint from a residential FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) gas customer, P.T. (Complainant), regarding a billing and consumption issue at the Complainant’s premises beginning on November 1, 2021 (Complaint);

B.       In the Complaint, the Complainant states he was notified by FEI of a “$5,600” outstanding balance owing on his account, a portion of which allegedly includes gas consumption from a previous tenancy at the premises;

C.       On February 8, 2024, FEI filed a response with the BCUC, in which FEI submitted that back-billing is applicable in this circumstance due to incorrect data processing, resulting in an administrative error which caused a delay in notifying the property owner. Pursuant to the back-billing provisions under Section 19 of FEI’s Tariff, FEI noted that the Complainant is responsible for gas consumption at the premises for the period of January 15, 2023 to November 15, 2023, in the amount of $1,807.95;

D.      On March 27, 2024, the BCUC requested FEI to file supplementary information regarding the issues raised in the Complaint. FEI submitted to the BCUC additional information and correspondence on April 5, 2024; and

E.       The BCUC has reviewed the Complaint and the supplementary evidence provided and determines that a hearing process is warranted.

 

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders that a hearing is hereby established in accordance with the regulatory timetable set out in Appendix A of this order.

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this           16^th         day of August 2024.

 

BY ORDER

 

Original signed by:

 

B. A. Magnan

Commissioner

FortisBC Energy Inc.

Complaint filed by P.T.