IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application by FortisBC Energy Inc.
Regarding 2012 Fourth Quarter Gas Cost Report and
Rate Changes effective January 1, 2013 for the Fort Nelson Service Area
BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner
C.A. Brown Commissioner November 29, 2012
B.A. Magnan, Commissioner
D.M. Morton, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. By Order G-27-12 dated March 9, 2012, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) approved the Gas Cost Recovery Charge for the FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) Fort Nelson Service Area, effective April 1, 2012;
B. On November 22, 2012, FEI filed its 2012 Fourth Quarter Report on the Gas Cost Reconciliation Account (GCRA) balance and gas cost recovery charges for the Fort Nelson Service Area effective January 1, 2013, that were based on the five-day average of the November 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7, 2012 forward prices (2012 Fourth Quarter Report);
C. The 2012 Fourth Quarter Report requested approval for the gas cost recovery charges for natural gas customers in Fort Nelson Service Area to remain unchanged, effective January 1, 2013;
D. The 2012 Fourth Quarter Report requested approval for an increase of $0.156/GJ to the delivery related Revenue Stabilization Adjustment Mechanism (RSAM) Rate Rider 5, from the current $0.011/GJ refund amount to a charge of $0.145/GJ, effective January 1, 2013;
E. FEI requests that the forecast gas cost information for Fort Nelson in Tab 2 of the 2012 Fourth Quarter Report be held confidential on the basis that it contains market sensitive information;
F. The Commission has determined that the requested changes, as outlined in the 2012 Fourth Quarter Report, should be approved.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 61(4) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:
1. The Commission approves the Gas Cost Recovery Charge to remain unchanged at January 1, 2013.
2. The Commission approves resetting the RSAM rates applicable to the affected rate classes within the Fort Nelson Service Area, effective January 1, 2013, as set out in the 2012 Fourth Quarter Report.
3. FEI is to provide a descriptive explanation of the final rates, by way of a bill insert or bill message to all affected customers, to be submitted to the Commission prior to its release, with the next monthly gas billing.
4. The Commission will hold the information in Tab 2 of the 2012 Fourth Quarter Report confidential.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, In the Province of British Columbia, this 29th day of November 2012.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D.M. Morton
Commissioner