ORDER NUMBER
R-11-25
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Registration as a Planning Coordinator
with the Mandatory Reliability Standards Program
BEFORE:
E. A. Brown, Commissioner
A. K. Fung, K.C., Commissioner
E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner
on October 3, 2025
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On September 10, 2025, the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), acting as the Administrator for the British Columbia Mandatory Reliability Standards Program (MRS Program), filed a recommendation with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to approve FortisBC Inc.’s (FBC) registration as a Planning Coordinator (PC) for its bulk electric system (BES) assets, effective October 1, 2025 (Recommendation);
B. Section 125.2 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) assigns exclusive jurisdiction to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to determine whether a “reliability standard,” as defined in the UCA, is in the public interest and should be adopted in BC. On June 4, 2009, the BCUC issued Order G-67-09 specifying that entities subject to reliability standards must register with the BCUC;
C. In accordance with the Administration Agreement between WECC and the BCUC, dated September 8, 2009 and renewed most recently on July 3, 2024, WECC provides registration recommendations in its role as the BCUC’s Administrator for the BC MRS Program;
D. By Order R-40-17, the BCUC approved the most recent version of the Rules of Procedure for Reliability Standards in British Columbia (ROP), which includes a Registration Manual. Pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Registration Manual, an Entity must notify the Administrator in writing of any change in circumstances that affects the Entity’s registration;
E. By Order R-23-24, dated November 6, 2024, the BCUC, among other things, directed FBC to register as a PC for its own BES assets effective October 1, 2025. Pursuant to Directive 3 of Order R-23-24, the BCUC directed British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority and FBC to file with the BCUC annual reports following the completion of the implementation of the dual PC model;
F. On March 11, 2025, FBC submitted its registration application as a PC for its own BES assets to WECC;
G. In the Recommendation, WECC states that FBC has been performing the necessary planning studies and coordinated assessments in its capacity as a Transmission Planner, and that a working group has been established to facilitate communications and coordination under a dual-PC footprint. WECC recommends that FBC develop an internal process that details how FBC will work with any new Transmission Planners within the FBC footprint. WECC further states that its Recommendation to register FBC as PC is consistent with what it would determine in the United States;
H. On September 19, 2025, FBC filed a letter in response to the Recommendation, concurring with WECC that FBC be registered as a PC for its own BES assets and requested the BCUC to approve the registration; and
I. The BCUC has reviewed WECC’s Recommendation and FBC’s response and determines that acceptance is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 125.2(10) of the UCA and in accordance with Appendix 1 (Registration Manual) of the ROP, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. FBC’s registration as a PC for its own BES assets is approved, effective October 1, 2025.
2. Pursuant to Directive 3 of Order R-23-24, FBC is directed to include in its annual reports its internal processes for coordinating with new Transmission Planners within FBC’s footprint.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 3rd day of October 2025.
BY ORDER
Electronically signed by Blair Lockhart
E. B. Lockhart
Commissioner