Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-14-26

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

Nelson Hydro

2026 and 2027 Revenue Requirements

BEFORE:

E. B. Lockhart, Panel Chair

R. E. Murphy, Commissioner

on January 27, 2026

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On October 31, 2025, Nelson Hydro filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) seeking approval of a general annual rate increase of 15.98 percent, effective January 1, 2026 and 3.77 percent, effective January 1, 2027, for the Rural service area (Application);

B.      Nelson Hydro is owned and operated by the City of Nelson and is excluded from regulation under the UCA to the extent it is serving customers within its municipal boundaries. Accordingly, the BCUC’s review of the Application pertains solely to Nelson Hydro’s non-municipal, or Rural, ratepayers;

C.      By Order G-272-25 dated November 24, 2025, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, which includes Nelson Hydro’s responses to information request (IR) No. 1 on February 12, 2026, among other matters;

D.      By a letter dated January 23, 2026, Nelson Hydro requested a two-week extension to file its responses on February 26, 2026, due to staffing constraints; and

E.       The BCUC has considered Nelson Hydro’s extension request and finds that the following determinations are warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       The regulatory timetable is amended as set out in Appendix A to this order.

2.       Nelson Hydro is directed to post a revised Public Notice of the Application, attached as Appendix B to this order, on its website and social media platforms by Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

3.       Nelson Hydro must provide confirmation of compliance with Directive 2 by Friday, February 6, 2026, including a list of social media platforms on which the revised Public Notice was posted.

4.       Nelson Hydro is directed to post the revised Public Notice on its social media platforms, on a monthly basis during the first week of each month, to remind the public of the letters of comment period until the deadline specified in the regulatory timetable.

5.       Nelson Hydro must provide confirmation of compliance with Directive 4 by Monday, March 9, 2026.

6.       Directives 6 and 7 of Order G-272-25 are rescinded.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this      27^th       day of January 2026.

BY ORDER

Electronically signed by Blair Lockhart

E. B. Lockhart

Commissioner

Attachment

Nelson Hydro

2026 and 2027 Revenue Requirements

NELSON HYDRO 2026 and 2027 RATES APPLICATION

On October 31, 2025, Nelson Hydro applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval to increase electricity rates by 15.98%, effective January 1, 2026, and by 3.77%, effective January 1, 2027, for customers in its rural service area. The BCUC has established a public and transparent proceeding to review the application.

For more information about the application, please visit the Proceeding Webpage on bcuc.com under “Our Work – Proceedings”. Subscribe to this Proceeding on bcuc.com under “Get involved” to receive email notifications when public documents are added to the proceeding.