SIXTH FLOOR, 900 HOWE STREET, BOX 250 VANCOUVER, B.C. V6Z 2N3 CANADA web site: http://www.bcuc.com IN THE MATTER OF the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473 and An Inquiry into British Columbia’s Electricity Transmission Infrastructure and Capacity Needs for the Next 30 Years BEFORE: L.A. O’Hara, Commissioner and Panel Chair A.W.K. Anderson, Commissioner D.A. Cote, Commissioner M.R. Harle, Commissioner R.K. Ravelli, Commissioner O R D E R WHEREAS: A. Section 5(4) of the Utilities Commission Act (“UCA” or “Act”) provides that the British Columbia Utilities Commission (“Commission”) must conduct an inquiry (“Inquiry”) to make determinations with respect to British Columbia’s infrastructure and capacity needs for electricity transmission for the period ending 20 years after the day the inquiry begins, or a different period if so specified by terms of reference issued by the Minister responsible for administration of the Hydro and Power Authority Act (“Minister”); and B. On December 11, 2008 the Minister issued Terms of Reference for the Inquiry which identify that the general purpose of the Inquiry is for the Commission to make determinations with respect to British Columbia’s electricity transmission infrastructure and capacity needs for a 30‐year period commencing from the date the Inquiry begins; and C. The Terms of Reference direct, in part, that the Commission must publish the draft report on its determinations on or before June 30, 2010; and D. The Terms of Reference further direct the Commission to invite and consider submissions, evidence and presentations from any interested person, including, without limitation, First Nations, communities, municipal and regional governments, other utilities, power producers, ratepayer groups and environmental non‐governmental organizations; and BRIT I SH COLU MBIA U T I L I T I ES COM MISS ION ORDER NUMBER G ‐111‐09 TELEPHONE: (604) 660‐4700 BC TOLL FREE: 1‐800‐663‐1385 FACSIMILE: (604) 660‐1102 September 17, 2009 . . . /2
2 E. The Terms of Reference provide that the Commission may make use of procedures to resolve specific issues within the Terms of Reference, including, as the Commission considers appropriate, workshops, mediations, dispute resolution mechanisms, pre‐hearing conferences, working groups and oral and written public hearings; and F. By Order G‐30‐09, the Commission established a Preliminary Workshop on April 17, 2009 for participants to discuss issues related to the Terms of Reference and the process to be used for the Inquiry, and a Procedural Conference on April 27, 2009 to discuss and hear submissions on Inquiry procedures and timing; and G. By Order G‐47‐09, the Commission released a Preliminary Inquiry Schedule and established a Procedural Conference on June 24, 2009 for participants to discuss Inquiry issues and scoping; and H. By Order G‐108‐09, the Commission determined that, although the Inquiry Panel does not owe an independent duty to consult with First Nations, the Inquiry Panel intends to establish meaningful engagement to ensure First Nations have the ability to participate effectively in the Inquiry process; and I. The Commission has determined that it will be useful to hold a series of Regional Sessions open to all Participants and the public to discuss issues related to regional transmission needs in relation to the Inquiry, including potential generation resources and anticipated regional electricity demand; and J. The Commission has determined that a fourth Procedural Conference is required to discuss Inquiry issues and timing along with further scope revisions. NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows: 1. A series of open Regional Sessions will take place from October 14 below. LOCATION Fort St. John, BC Fort Nelson, BC Terrace, BC Prince George, BC Kelowna, BC Cranbrook, BC Sechelt, BC Nanaimo, BC BRIT ISH COLUMBIA UTIL IT IES COMMISS ION ORDER NUMBER G‐111‐09 th through November 25 th as indicated DATE (2009) Wednesday, October 14 Tuesday, October 20 Friday, October 23 Monday, October 26 Monday, November 16 Thursday, November 19 Monday, November 23 Wednesday, November 25 . . . /3
3 2. A fourth Procedural Conference on Inquiry issues, procedural timing, and scope revisions will take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, commencing at 9:00 a.m. at the Commission Hearing Room, 12 1125 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC. 3. A Schedule for the remainder of the Inquiry along with details on specific locations and timing of the Regional Sessions will be released after British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, British Columbia Transmission Corporation and FortisBC Inc. have filed their preliminary evidence. DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 17 Original signed by: ORDERS/G‐111‐09_Section 5‐Regional Workshop Schedule BRIT I SH COLUMBIA UTIL IT I ES COMMISS ION ORDER NUMBER G‐111‐09 th Floor, th day of September 2009. BY ORDER L.A. O’Hara Commissioner
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