Orders

 

ORDER NUMBER

G-22-25

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project and Strathcona Discharge Upgrade Project

 

BEFORE:

A.K. Fung, KC, Panel Chair

 

 

on February 5, 2025

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On June 14, 2023, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application (Application) with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) pursuant to section 44.2(3) of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for acceptance of each of the schedules of capital expenditures BC Hydro anticipates making for implementation of the Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project (Ladore Project) and the Strathcona Discharge Upgrade Project (Strathcona Project) (together, the Projects);

B.      The Ladore and Strathcona facilities form part of the Campbell River System, which comprises dams, reservoirs, and generating facilities that are located along the Campbell River on Vancouver Island. BC Hydro submits the Projects are required to address dam safety deficiencies related to the Ladore and Strathcona facilities’ seismic withstand and water discharge capacity that could lead to overtopping and failure of the dams after an earthquake;

C.      By Order G-189-23 dated July 18, 2023, the BCUC established a written hearing process and a regulatory timetable. The regulatory timetable was subsequently amended by the following Orders: G-303-23 dated November 9, 2023; G-328-23 dated December 1, 2023; G-352-23 dated December 14, 2023; and G-25-24 dated January 30, 2024;

D.      On May 30, 2024, BC Hydro provided an updated cost estimate for the Ladore Project and stated it had not yet determined whether a similar cost update would be necessary for the Strathcona Project. BC Hydro requested that the regulatory process for the Ladore Project proceed independently to argument and the process to review the Strathcona Project be adjourned until BC Hydro has determined whether a cost update on the Strathcona Project will be necessary;

E.       By Order G-163-24, dated June 18, 2024, the BCUC established a further regulatory process for the review of the Ladore Project and adjourned the regulatory process for the Strathcona Project. BC Hydro was directed to provide an update on the cost estimate for the Strathcona Project on or before October 31, 2024;

F.       By Order G-263-24, dated October 22, 2024, the BCUC accepted the expenditure schedule for the Ladore Project as being in the public interest;

G.      By Order G-278-24, dated October 31, 2024, BC Hydro was directed to provide an update on the status of cost information for the Strathcona Project on or before January 31, 2025;

H.      By letter dated January 30, 2025, BC Hydro informed the BCUC that it has not yet determined whether an updated cost estimate for the Strathcona Project will be necessary. BC Hydro anticipates that by March 31, 2025, it will be able to inform the BCUC on whether a revised cost estimate will need to be submitted; and

I.         The BCUC has reviewed the BC Hydro letter and considers that further adjournment of the proceeding is warranted.

 

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

 

1.       BC Hydro is directed to provide an update on the status of cost information for the Strathcona Project on or before March 31, 2025.  

2.       The regulatory process for the Strathcona Project remains adjourned until March 31, 2025, or such earlier time, as the BCUC may determine.

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this      5^th      day of February, 2025.

 

BY ORDER

 

Electronically signed by Anna Fung

 

A.K. Fung, KC

Commissioner