ORDER NUMBER
F-26-25
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
Participant Cost Award Applications
BEFORE:
A. K. Fung, KC, Panel Chair
E. A. Brown, Commissioner
on December 5, 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; G-25-24 dated January 30, 2024; G-163-24 dated June 18, 2024; G-278-24 dated October 31, 2024; G-22-25 dated February 5, 2025; and G-90-25 dated April 4, 2025;
C. British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al (BCOAPO); the Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia (CEC); and Residential Consumer Intervener Association (RCIA) registered as interveners in the 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;
E. On March 6, 2025, by Order F-6-25, the BCUC awarded interim Participant Cost Award (PCA) funding of $28,620.27 to BCOAPO for its participation in the proceeding, which constitutes an advance against the BCUC’s final cost award determination after the conclusion of the proceeding;
F. On October 17, 2025, by Order G-250-25A, the BCUC accepted the expenditure schedule for the Strathcona Project as being in the public interest;
G. The following participants filed PCA applications, inclusive of applicable taxes, with the BCUC with respect to their participation in the proceeding:
|
Date |
Participant |
Application |
|
October 31, 2025 |
BCOAPO |
$42,223.17 |
|
October 29, 2025 |
The CEC |
$49,323.59 |
|
November 4, 2025 |
RCIA |
$44,036.91 |
H. By letter dated November 20, 2025, BC Hydro provided its comments on the PCA applications, stating that it believes that BCOAPO, the CEC and RCIA are eligible for a cost award and has no objection to them receiving the PCA amounts that they have requested; and
I. 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 attached to Order G-192-25 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 Ladore Spillway Seismic Upgrade Project and Strathcona Discharge Upgrade Project proceeding:
|
Participant |
Application |
Interim Award |
Remaining Payable |
|
BCOAPO |
$42,223.17 |
$28,620.27 |
$13,602.90 |
|
The CEC |
$49,323.59 |
0 |
$49,323.59 |
|
RCIA |
$44,036.91 |
0 |
$44,036.91 |
2. BC Hydro is directed to reimburse each participant for the amount awarded in the remaining payable column in directive 1 of this order, in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 5th day of December 2025.
BY ORDER
Electronically signed by Anna Fung
A. K. Fung, KC
Commissioner