ORDER NUMBER
G-258-24
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Energy Inc.
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Program Filings Further Confidentiality Request
BEFORE:
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
on October 8, 2024
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On September 17, 2024, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) pursuant to section 18 of the BCUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure and section 71(5) of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) to request that certain information relating to the following filings be held confidential by the BCUC (Confidentiality Request):
i. FEI’s Application to Implement the RNG Blend Service, Storage and Transportation RNG Rider, and Changes to the RNG Charge (RNG Blend and RNG Charges Application); and
ii. FEI’s Compliance Filing and Application for Approval of Tariff Amendments (Tariff Application) ;
B. By Order G-237-24 dated August 29, 2024, the BCUC issued its decision regarding the Tariff Application. The BCUC did not make any directives regarding confidentiality in Order G-237-24;
C. By Order G-242-24 dated September 11, 2024, the BCUC issued its decision regarding the RNG Blend and RNG Charges Application and ordered that the information in Appendix B of that application be held confidential as it contains commercially sensitive information;
D. In the Confidentiality Request, FEI states that certain additional information should be kept confidential in the RNG Blend and RNG Charges Application, as well as in the related BCUC Staff Questions dated June 27, 2024, and FEI’s Responses to BCUC Staff Questions dated July 15, 2024, related to FEI’s RNG supply acquisition volume, price, and mitigation revenue;
E. In the Confidentiality Request, FEI further states that FEI’s Responses to BCUC Staff Questions dated July 29, 2024, in relation to the review of the Tariff Application, make references to confidential information;
F. Between September 13 and 17, 2024, FEI provided redacted versions of the following documents:
i. The RNG Blend and RNG Charges Application, as well as the related BCUC Staff Questions and FEI’s Responses to BCUC Staff Questions; and
ii. FEI’s Responses to BCUC Staff Questions related to the Tariff Application.
G. The BCUC has reviewed the Confidentiality Request and considers that the following determinations are warranted.
NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders that the unredacted versions of the following documents will be held confidential until the BCUC determines otherwise:
a. The RNG Blend and RNG Charges Application, as well as the related BCUC Staff Questions and FEI’s Responses to BCUC Staff Questions; and
b. FEI’s Responses to BCUC Staff Questions related to the Tariff Application.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 8th day of October 2024.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
B. A. Magnan
Commissioner