Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473

and

Terasen Gas (Whistler) Inc.

2010-2011 Revenue Requirements and Rates Application

BEFORE:                 A.W.K. Anderson, Panel Chair/Commissioner

                                A.J. Pullman, Commissioner                                               November 18, 2010

                                P.E. Vivian, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.       On November 9, 2009 Terasen Gas (Whistler) Inc. (TGW) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for approval of its 2010-2011 Revenue Requirements and Rates Application (the Application) to amend its rates, effective January 1, 2010, pursuant to sections 58, 60, 61 and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act (the Act);

B.       By Order G-32-10 dated February 26, 2010, the Commission established a process for the review of the Application which provided in part for a written hearing and in part, for an oral public hearing limited to the issues concerning the Conversion Project and proposed changes to the cost sharing formula with Aerial Crossings for the natural gas pipeline lateral and proposals to reduce the Base Incentives amounts and recalculate the amount of the Capital Contribution;

C.       The oral public hearing took place in Vancouver on March 24-25, 2010;

D.       Following receipt of written arguments and reply, by letter dated May 20, 2010, the Commission established an Oral Phase of Argument to address issues with respect to the Commission’s jurisdiction to impose and enforce the cost cap mechanisms;

E.        The Oral Phase of Argument took place in Vancouver on June 8, 2010;

F.        By letter dated July 6, 2010, the Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia (CEC) applied for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) funding with respect to its participation in the proceeding;

G.    By letter dated July 27, 2010, the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO) applied for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) funding with respect to its participation in the proceeding;

H.    By letters dated July 20 and August 4, 2010, Terasen Gas (Whistler) Inc. commented that the time allotments and charge rates used by the CEC and BCOAPO appear to be reasonable;

I.      The Commission has reviewed the PACA applications with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines in Commission Order G-72-07 and has concluded that cost awards should be approved for Participants in the proceeding.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:

1.     Pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission awards funds to the following Participants with respect to their participation in the proceeding.

2.     TGW is directed to reimburse the above-noted Participants for the Award amounts in a timely manner.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this                   18^th                    day of November 2010.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                                Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                A.W.K. Anderson

                                                                                                                                Panel Chair/Commissioner