Orders

 

ORDER NUMBER

G-34-25

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Terms of Use of Municipal Land in the City of Surrey

 

BEFORE:

E. B. Lockhart, Panel Chair

W. E. Royle, Commissioner

 

on February 20, 2025

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On February 7, 2025, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) made an application to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) pursuant to sections 32 and 36 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for an order setting the terms on which BC Hydro will continue to use a highway dedication in the City of Surrey for high voltage transmission facilities (Application);

B.      The Application states that the City of Surrey has indicated that it intends to construct an extension of 72^nd Avenue on an unpaved gazetted road (Highway Dedication). Three of BC Hydro’s overhead high-voltage circuits, installed in 1952, 1967 and 1976 respectively, pass over the Highway Dedication. One lattice steel tower installed in 1952 to support the high-voltage transmission line is on the Highway Dedication;

C.      The Application states that the City of Surrey has filed a Notice of Civil Claim in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, alleging that BC Hydro’s facilities and maintenance employees are trespassing on the Highway Dedication and seeking an injunction requiring BC Hydro to completely remove its infrastructure, at BC Hydro’s cost, located on and passing over the Highway Dedication;

D.      The Application states that BC Hydro remains willing to sign a standard Transmission Line Relocation Agreement to modify BC Hydro’s transmission facilities in a way that accommodates the City of Surrey’s road project, at the City of Surrey’s cost;

E.       The BCUC has commenced its review of the Application and determines that the establishment of a public hearing process is warranted.

 

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       A public hearing is established in accordance with the regulatory timetable as set out in Appendix A to this order.

2.       BC Hydro is directed to provide a copy of the Application and this order to the City of Surrey on or before Tuesday February 25, 2025.

 

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this      20^th      day of February 2025.

 

BY ORDER

 

Electronically signed by Blair Lockhart

 

E. B. Lockhart

Commissioner

 

 

Attachment

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Terms of Use of Municipal Land in the City of Surrey