Orders

 

ORDER NUMBER

F-6-25

 

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

Interim Participant Cost Award Application

 

BEFORE:

A. K. Fung, KC, Panel Chair

E. A. Brown, Commissioner

 

 

on March 6, 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.      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. 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;

C.      On August 16, 2023, BC Old Age Pensioners’ Organization, Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC, Active Support Against Poverty, Disability Alliance BC, the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre, and Together Against Poverty Society (BCOAPO) requested to intervene in the Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project and Strathcona Discharge Upgrade Project proceeding;

D.      On October 22, 2024, by Order G-263-24, the BCUC accepted the expenditure schedule for the Ladore Project as being in the public interest. By Order G-22-25 dated February 5, 2025, the BCUC adjourned the regulatory process for the Strathcona Project until March 31, 2025, or such earlier time, as the BCUC may determine;

E.       The following participant filed an Interim Participant Cost Award (PCA) application with the BCUC with respect to its participation in the proceeding:

 

F.       By letter dated February 26, 2025, BC Hydro provided its comments on the Interim PCA application, stating BC Hydro believes that BCOAPO is eligible for an interim cost award and has no objection to BCOAPO receiving the PCA that it has requested; and

G.      The BCUC has reviewed the Interim PCA application in accordance with the criteria and rates set out in the BCUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure attached to Order G-296-24 and determines that the Interim PCA application should be approved.

 

NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 118 of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders as follows:

 

1.       Interim funding is awarded to BCOAPO in the amount below for its participation in the Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project and Strathcona Discharge Upgrade Project proceeding, which constitutes an advance against the BCUC’s final cost award determination after the conclusion of the proceeding:

 

2.       BC Hydro is directed to reimburse BCOAPO for the awarded amount in a timely manner.

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this        6^th        day of March 2025.

 

BY ORDER

 

Electronically signed by Anna Fung

 

A. K. Fung, KC

Commissioner