IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application by Just Energy (B.C.) Limited Partnership
for the Assignment of Universal Energy Corporation’s Contracts
under the Customer Choice Program
BEFORE: D.A. Cote, Commissioner
A.A. Rhodes, Commissioner September 16, 2010
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On August 30, 2010, Just Energy (B.C.) Limited Partnership (Just Energy) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for approval to complete the assignment (Application) of all of Universal Energy Corporation’s Commodity Unbundling Service Consumer Agreements to Just Energy (Customer Contracts);
B. Universal Energy Corporation was indirectly acquired by Just Energy’s parent company Just Energy Income Fund on July 1, 2009;
C. Commission Order A-15-09 dated November 1, 2009, renewed Universal Energy Corporation’s Gas Marketer Licence with an expiry date of October 31, 2010;
D. Commission Order A‐14‐09 dated October 1, 2009, renewed Just Energy’s Gas Marketer Licence with an expiry date of December 31, 2009. This Licence was amended by Commission Order A‐14‐09A dated December 10, 2009, which extended the expiry date to October 31, 2010;
E. Article 29 of the Code of Conduct for Gas Marketers, Transfer of Agreements, states, in part, that “A Gas Marketer shall not assign, sell or otherwise transfer the Consumer’s Agreements to another person who is not a licensed Gas Marketer.” This article also requires that the assignment, sale or transfer of a Gas Marketer’s Consumer agreements to another Gas Marketer must be approved in advance by the Commission;
F. The Commission has reviewed Just Energy’s Application and considers approval is in the public interest.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 71.1 of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission permits Just Energy to acquire all of Universal Energy Corporation’s Customer Contracts under the Customer Choice Program subject to the following condition:
1. Within 30 days of the assignment Just Energy is to send a letter to all affected Consumers confirming that Just Energy will now be their natural gas supplier. The correspondence must provide the Consumer with all of Just Energy’s current contact information.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 16th day of September 2010.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D.A. Cote
Commissioner