IN THE MATTER OF

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

and

An Inquiry into FortisBC Energy Inc.’s

Offering of Products and Services in

Alternative Energy Solutions and Other New Initiatives

BEFORE:                 N.E. MacMurchy, Panel Chair

                                D.A. Cote, Commissioner                                                    September 23, 2011

                                L.A. O’Hara, Commissioner

                                A.A. Rhodes, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.       On May 24, 2011, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) issued Order G-95-11 establishing an Inquiry into FortisBC Energy Inc.’s (FEI) transformation into an integrated energy power provider.  A Commission Staff working paper on scoping of issues was attached as Appendix B to Order G-95-11 to facilitate discussions at a Procedural Conference scheduled on June 15, 2011;

B.       At the Procedural Conference the Commission Panel heard submissions from all Parties on the issues and scope contained in the staff working paper, and the alternative regulatory processes and timelines.  On July 8, 2011, the Commission issued Order G-118-11 with a Regulatory Timetable set out as Appendix C to the Order;

C.       In accordance to the Regulatory Timetable, the Commission and Interveners issued Information Requests (IR) No. 1 to FEI on September 16, 2011;

D.       By letter dated September 19, 2011, FortisBC Energy Utilities (FEU) request an extension of time to address the IRs.  FEU cite three reasons for its request: (1) a significant number of the IRs relate to EEC, NGV and Biomethane which are topics that are also addressed in the 2012-2013 RRA proceeding and key FEU staff involved in the FEI Inquiry are also primary individuals involved in the RRA Oral Hearing proceeding; (2) many IRs require consideration of corporate policy issues by FEU’s senior management and a number of whom will be involved in the RRA as witnesses; and (3) a number of IRs raised legal issues that require consideration by legal counsel who is also appearing in the RRA proceeding;

E.        In its request for extension, FEU propose an approximate four-week delay to the remaining dates established by Order G-118-11.  FEU further add that it might also be appropriate to provide ESA/Corix/Other Interveners additional time before they must file evidence than what was contemplated in the original Order;

F.        By letter dated September 20, 2011, the Commission Panel requests all Parties to comment on FEU’s proposal;

G.       The Commission has received seven letters from Interveners, all of which are in support of FEU’s proposal;

H.       By letter dated September 21, 2011, the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. submits that it has no objection to FEU’s proposed amendment to the Regulatory Timetable and that it may be appropriate for the Commission to consider additional time for those Interveners who wish to file evidence;

I.         By letter dated September 21, 2011, the British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association and the Sierra Club of British Columbia support FEU’s proposed amendment to the Regulatory Timetable and do not object to additional time for Interveners to file evidence;

J.         By letter dated September 21, 2011, Ferus LNG submits that it has no objective to FEU’s proposal;

K.       By letter dated September 21, 2011, Energy Services Association of Canada submits that it has no objection to the amendments proposed by FEI.  It also notes that it envisions the Inquiry should move to a written process promptly after the Second Procedural Conference;

L.        By letter dated September 22, 2011, the Commercial Energy Consumers of B.C. submits that it has no objection to FEI’s proposed amendments;

M.     By letter dated September 22, 2011, Corix Utility Inc. submits it has no objection to FEI’s proposed amendments;

N.       By letter dated September 22, 2011, the Ministry of Energy and Mines submits that the FEI’s proposal to amend the timetable is reasonable;

O.      The Commission Panel has considered the views of all participants and determines that FEU’s proposed amendment by FEU should be accepted.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission determines that the Inquiry will proceed with the Amended Regulatory Timetable as attached in Appendix A to this Order.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this          23^rd            day of September 2011.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

                                                                                                                            Original signed by:

                                                                                                                                N.E. MacMurchy

                                                                                                                                Panel Chair and Commissioner

Attachments

An Inquiry into FortisBC Energy Inc.’s

Offering of Products and Services in

Alternative Energy Solutions and Other New Initiatives

AMENDED REGULATORY TIMETABLE