Orders

June 30, 2025                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

Sent via email                                                                                                                                                                        Letter L-14-25

 

 

To:      Public Utilities

 

 

Re:         BCUC – Annual Report Requirements – Planned Capital Extensions

 

On December 15, 1994, the BCUC, in compliance with section 24 (formerly section 29) of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), issued Letter L-36-94 instructing the utilities under its jurisdiction (Public Utilities) to file an annual report (Annual Report) within four months of the utility’s fiscal year end.

 

On October 28, 2020, the BCUC issued Letter L-65-20 instructing Public Utilities to provide the Capital Expenditures Table in their Annual Reports to comply with the requirements of section 45(6) of the UCA.

 

Section 45(6) of the UCA states the following:

A public utility must file with the commission at least once each year a statement in a form prescribed by the commission of the extensions to its facilities that it plans to construct.

By Letters L-8-22, dated April 7, 2022, and L-46-23, dated October 17, 2023, the BCUC confirmed that Public Utilities are required to file the Capital Expenditures Table with Annual Reports.

 

In alignment with the BCUC’s ongoing efficiency initiatives, and on its own motion, the BCUC has reviewed the Public Utility annual reporting requirements for capital projects with an aim to relieve unnecessary regulatory burden and streamline Public Utility reporting. Additionally, in Order G-218-24,[1] the BCUC was encouraged to review the form of UCA section 45(6) planned capital extension filings in BC Hydro’s annual reports. Accordingly, the requirement to file the Capital Expenditures Table is discontinued for all Public Utilities as of the date of this Letter.

 

Instead, Public Utilities, in compliance with section 45(6) of the UCA, are required to file the Planned Extensions Table, as shown below, identifying each new planned extension to its facilities for the subsequent 24 months, along with the estimated cost and anticipated construction start date of each. The Planned Extensions Table must be filed in the Annual Report each year, as of the date of this Letter.

 

Planned Extensions Table
Extension Project Name	Estimated Capital Cost	Anticipated Construction Start Date

 

Public Utilities directed to file information on major capital projects, including extensions, in prior BCUC orders should continue to comply with these prior directives, and are not required to file the Planned Extensions Table in their Annual Reports if doing so would be duplicative.

 

All other reporting requirements set out in Letter L-46-23 remain in effect.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned for questions or clarifications regarding Public Utility filing requirements.

 

Sincerely,

 

Electronically signed by Sara Hardgrave

 

Sara Hardgrave

Acting Commission Secretary

 

 

AJ/dg