Orders

ORDER NUMBER

F-14-25

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

FortisBC Energy Inc.

Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the

Okanagan Capacity Mitigation Project

Participant Cost Award Application

BEFORE:

M. Jaccard, Panel Chair

T. A. Loski, Commissioner

W. E. Royle, Commissioner

on May 5, 2025

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On July 30, 2024, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) submitted an application to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for the Okanagan Capacity Mitigation Project (OCMP) (Application);

B.      By Order G-227-24 dated August 21, 2024, the BCUC established a written hearing process and a regulatory timetable;

C.      British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA); British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al (BCOAPO); the Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia (CEC); Residential Consumer Intervener Association (RCIA); and First Things First Okanagan Climate Action registered as interveners in the proceeding;

D.      On March 3, 2025, by Order C-2-25 with accompanying decision, the BCUC granted a CPCN for the OCMP;

E.       The following participants filed Participant Cost Award (PCA) applications, inclusive of applicable taxes, with the BCUC with respect to their participation in the proceeding:

F.       By letter dated April 11, 2025, FEI provided its comments on the PCA applications, stating that it has no further comment on the PCA applications if the BCUC is satisfied that participants meet the eligibility requirements, the time and amounts claimed are reasonable and appropriate, and the participation aligns with the BCUC’s PCA rules and criteria; and

G.      The BCUC has reviewed the PCA applications in accordance with the criteria and rates set out in the BCUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure and determines that the PCA applications should be approved.

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

1.       Costs are awarded to the following participants in the listed amounts for their participation in the OCMP proceeding:

2.       FEI is directed to reimburse the above-noted participants for the awarded amounts in a timely manner.

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

BY ORDER

Electronically signed by Mark Jaccard

M. Jaccard

Commissioner