Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-12-25

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

Heiltsuk Nation

Reconsideration of Order G-266-24

BEFORE:

M. Jaccard, Panel Chair

B. A. Magnan, Commissioner

on January 24, 2025

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On December 21, 2024, the Heiltsuk Nation filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for the Reconsideration of BCUC Order G-266-24 (Reconsideration Application). In its Reconsideration Application, the Heiltsuk Nation seeks:

                           i.      The rescission of Order G-266-24;

                         ii.      The reinstatement of Directive 85 in BCUC Decision and Order G-91-23; and

                       iii.      A variance of Directive 85 to provide British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) a reasonable amount of time to file long-term resource plans for non-integrated areas (NIAs);

B.      In Directive 85 of BCUC Decision and Order G-91-23 dated April 21, 2023, in BC Hydro’s Fiscal 2023 to 2025 Revenue Requirements proceeding, the BCUC directed BC Hydro to file its long-term resource plan (LTRP) for the NIAs by March 31, 2024, and to include as part of that plan details of its NIA Diesel Reduction Strategy including proposed performance metrics for review and approval by the BCUC;

C.      On October 22, 2024, the BCUC issued Order G-266-24 on the matter of BC Hydro Non-Integrated Areas Planning Regulatory Framework, in which the BCUC:

                           i.       Rescinded Directive 85 in BCUC Decision and Order G-91-23 in its entirety;

                         ii.      Directed BC Hydro to file Community Context Reports (CCRs) when filing applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for projects in the NIAs, pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA); and

                       iii.      Directed BC Hydro to file an annual report documenting BC Hydro’s progress in the development of CCRs in NIAs, including the status of its consultation and public engagement;

D.      Rule 26.05 of Part V of the BCUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure[1] provides that an application for reconsideration must contain a concise statement of the grounds for reconsideration, which must include one or more of the grounds listed in that Rule; and

E.       The BCUC has reviewed the Reconsideration Application and considers that the establishment of a regulatory timetable, including a written comment process, is warranted. 

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

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

2.       The scope of this proceeding is limited to the grounds for reconsideration submitted by the Heiltsuk Nation in the Reconsideration Application.

3.       In accordance with the BCUC Rules of Practice and Procedure, parties who wish to actively participate in the proceeding must complete a Request to Intervene Form, available on the Get Involved in a Proceeding section of the BCUC's website at https://www.bcuc.com/GetInvolved/GetInvolvedProceeding, by Thursday, February 13, 2025, as established in the regulatory timetable. Parties may also submit letters of comment by completing a Letter of Comment Form, available on the BCUC’s website, by Thursday February 27, 2025.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this      24th      day of January 2025.

BY ORDER

Electronically signed by Mark Jaccard

M. Jaccard

Commissioner

Attachment

Heiltsuk Nation

Reconsideration of Order G-266-24