B R I T I S H C O LU M B I A U T I L I T I E S C O M M IS S I O N O R D ER N U M B E R C-1-99 SIXTH FLOOR, 900 HOWE STREET, BOX 250 VANCOUVER, B.C. V6Z 2N3 CANADA TELEPHONE: (604) 660-4700 web site: http://www.bcuc.com BC TOLL FREE: 1-800-663-1385 FACSIMILE: (604) 660-1102 IN THE MATTER OF the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473 and An Application by BC Gas Utility Ltd. for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the Fraser River Crossing Project BEFORE: P. Ostergaard, Chair ) L.R. Barr, Deputy Chair ) P.G. Bradley, Commissioner ) January 13, 1999 K.L. Hall, Commissioner ) CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY WHEREAS: A. On December 3, 1999, BC Gas Utility Ltd. (“BC Gas”) applied, pursuant to Section 45 of the Utilities Commission Act (“the Act”), for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (“CPCN”) for a horizontal directional drilled natural gas transmission pipeline crossing of the Fraser River, between Surrey and Coquitlam at a site near the Port Mann bridge (“the Fraser River Crossing Project”); and B. The Fraser River Crossing Project will be approximately 980 metres (0.6 mile) of 914 mm (36 inch) pipeline, and will replace the existing 508 mm (20 inch) crossing at this location; and C. The existing underwater natural gas transmission pipeline crossing is no longer considered to be reliable, due to the effects of river scouring and potential consequences in the event of a seismic event. It also has maintenance concerns, and in time will no longer provide the transmission capacity that is required; and D. BC Gas has determined that a directional drilled crossing near the existing pipeline is the preferred approach, as it will minimize environmental and other impacts. The pipeline will be installed generally in a joint use right-of-way that is shared with British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, and this right-of-way, along with temporary working space access to some adjoining property, will be used for make-up of the pipeline prior to installation; and …/2
B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A U T I L I T I E S C O M M IS S I O N O R D E R N U M B ER C-1-99 2 E. BC Gas proposes to install the new crossing during June to September 1999, and estimates that the cost of the project will be $5.9 to $7.1 million; and F. Commission Order No. G-85-97 approved BC Gas’ Consolidated Settlement Document for 1998-2000, which identified Special Projects and CPCN projects such as “…the relocation of an urban transmission pipeline” that would be dealt with through applications for a CPCN; and G. The Commission has reviewed BC Gas’ application and finds that approval of the Fraser River Crossing Project is necessary and in the public interest. NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows: 1. Pursuant to Section 45 of the Act, the Commission grants BC Gas a CPCN to construct the Fraser River Crossing Project in accordance with its December 3, 1998 application. 2. BC Gas is directed to file an updated cost estimate with the Commission prior to the start of construction. The estimate is to incorporate the contractor bid that the Company has selected for the directional drill portion of the work. 3. During construction BC Gas is directed to file with the Commission monthly progress and expenditure reports, commencing with a report for January 1999, followed by a final report upon project completion, with the form of the reports to be established in consultation with Commission staff. 4. BC Gas is directed to include in the monthly reports updates on the status of negotiations for additional right-of-way and for temporary working space, and on the status of consultations with and responses to local residents and other stakeholders. DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 15th day of January, 1999. BY ORDER Original signed by: Lorna R. Barr Deputy Chair Orders/BCG/Fraser River Crsng
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