Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-235-24

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

FortisBC Energy Inc.

FEI Radio-off Advanced Metering Infrastructure Meter Option

BEFORE:

E. B. Lockhart, Panel Chair

B. A. Magnan, Commissioner

on August 28, 2024

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On August 7, 2024, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) filed an application (Application) with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act, seeking approval of proposed terms and conditions and fees and the associated proposed amendments to FEI’s General Terms and Conditions (GT&Cs) to its Tariff to implement the Radio-off Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Meter Option effective February 1, 2025;

B.      By Decision and Order C-2-23 dated May 15, 2023, the BCUC granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the AMI Project;

C.      FEI requests the live spreadsheet provided as Appendix A to the Application be held confidential in perpetuity, pursuant to Section 18 of the BCUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, as it contains costs associated with the radio-off option that is considered commercially sensitive and market competitive information which, if disclosed publicly, could prejudice or influence future negotiations of contracts between FEI and meter reading suppliers or counterparties, which could result in higher costs for customers; and

D.      The BCUC has commenced its review of the Application and finds that the establishment of a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       A regulatory timetable for the review of the Application is established as set out in Appendix A to this order.

2.       On or before Tuesday, September 17, 2024, FEI is directed to provide:

a.       electronically where possible, a copy of the Application, this order and a link to the proceeding webpage to registered interveners in the FEI Application for a CPCN for Approval of the AMI Project proceeding;

b.       notice of the Application and this order on its existing social media platforms; and

c.       notice of the Application and this order on FEI’s website at www.fortisbc.com.

3.       FEI is directed to provide to the BCUC, by Thursday, October 3, 2024, written confirmation of compliance with the notice requirements in Directive 2 of this order, including a list of social media platforms on which notice of the Application was posted.

4.       Appendix A attached to the Application will be held confidential until determined otherwise by the BCUC.

5.       Persons who wish to file a letter of comment in this proceeding may do so by completing a Letter of Comment Form by Thursday, October 24, 2024.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this          28^th          day of August 2024.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

E. B. Lockhart

Commissioner

Attachment

FortisBC Energy Inc.

FEI Radio-off Advanced Metering Infrastructure Meter Option