Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-202-25

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Waste to Energy Facility 2025 Electricity Purchase Agreement Renewal

 

BEFORE:

M. Jaccard, Panel Chair

E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner

 

on August 18, 2025

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On June 12, 2025, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application (Application) with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) pursuant to section 71 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for acceptance of two electricity purchase agreements with the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District. One short-term agreement, effective between March 3, 2025 and April 14, 2025, and a longer-term agreement, with a contract term of April 15, 2025 to March 2, 2045;

B.      By Order G-170-25 dated July 4, 2025, the BCUC established a public hearing for the review of the Application. The regulatory timetable included, among other things, public notice by BC Hydro and a letter of comment period ending on August 21, 2025;

C.      On July 14, 2025, BC Hydro filed with the BCUC a letter confirming it had complied with the notice requirements in Order G-170-25 (Notice Confirmation). The Notice Confirmation included a list of all First Nations within the consultative boundaries of the Facility that had been provided with copies of the Application and Order G-170-25;

D.      By letter dated August 15, 2025, kʷikʷəƛəm First Nation submitted it had recently received the Notice Confirmation from an external source and that kʷikʷəƛəm First Nation had not previously been notified about the Application, nor was it listed among those notified for consultation in the Notice Confirmation. kʷikʷəƛəm First Nation requests an extension to submit a response;

E.       Also by letter dated August 15, 2025, BC Hydro acknowledged that not all First Nations within the consultative boundaries of the Facility were notified – specifically the Squamish and Kwikwetlem First Nations. BC Hydro states that it provided formal notice to both First Nations via email on August 15, 2025 and requests an extension to the deadlines set out in the regulatory timetable to ensure all parties have a fair opportunity to review the proceeding materials and provide a letter of comment, should they choose to do so; and

F.       The BCUC has considered the requests by kʷikʷəƛəm First Nation and BC Hydro and determines that amending the regulatory timetable is warranted.

 

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders that an amended regulatory timetable is established, as set out in Appendix A of this order.

 

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this       18^th       day of August 2025.

 

BY ORDER

 

Electronically signed by Mark Jaccard

 

M. Jaccard

Commissioner

 

 

Attachment

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Waste to Energy Facility 2025 Energy Purchase Agreement Renewal