IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
Applications for Participant Assistance/Cost Awards
in the Application by FortisBC Energy Inc.
Customer Choice Program
2010 Program Summary and Recommendations
BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner
C.A. Brown, Commissioner
N.E. MacMurchy, Commissioner August 18, 2011
D. Morton, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. Following the September 8, 2010 Customer Choice Annual General Meeting, on November 23, 2010, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) filed an application for the Customer Choice 2010 Program Summary and Recommendations (the Application);
B. On December 9, 2011, by Order G-191-10 the Commission established a written hearing process to review the Application;
C. On May 26, 2011, the Commission issued Order A-9-11 and its Decision approving the Application;
D. On March 4, 2011, the British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy, on behalf of its clients the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO), applied for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) funding with regard to its participation in the written hearing;
E. On August 15, 2011, FEI advised the Commission that the BCOAPO PACA application is not unreasonable and that it is has no objection to the award;
F. The Commission has reviewed BCOAPO’s PACA application with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines in Order G-72-07 and has concluded that the applied-for cost award should be approved.
NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders as follows:
1. Pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission awards BCOAPO $7,000.00 with respect to its participation proceeding.
2. FEI is directed to reimburse BCOAPO for the amount awarded in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, In the Province of British Columbia, this 18th day of August 2011.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. Morton
Commissioner