IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application for Participant Assistance/Cost Award
regarding the Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.
2012 Revenue Requirements
BEFORE: C.A. Brown, Commissioner December 3, 2012
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) filed on November 30, 2011 with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (the Commission), pursuant to sections 58 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (the Act), its 2012 Revenue Requirements Application (Application) to increase, among other things, delivery rates as a result of increases in cost of service offset somewhat by increased deliveries to some customer classes;
B. Commission Order G-13-12, established an Amended Regulatory Timetable for the review of the Application, that included a request for Intervener submissions regarding the format of the proceeding, following PNG’s responses to the second round of Information Requests and a draft written argument schedule;
C. On May 18, 2012, the Commission received submissions from PNG, British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO), and the Peace River Regional District supporting a written hearing process for the review of the Application. Commission Order G-65-12 established a written hearing process for the review of the Application;
D. On June 29, 2012, the British Columbia Public Interest Advocacy Centre filed an application for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) on behalf of its client, the BCOAPO, in the amount of $9,227.58;
E. By Order G-130-12, dated September 21, 2012, the Commission issued its Decision on the PNG Revenue Requirements Application pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act;
F. By email dated July 6, 2012, PNG advised the Commission that it had reviewed the BCOAPO PACA application and considered it to be reasonable;
G. The Commission has reviewed the BCOAPO PACA application with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines in Commission Order G-72-07.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:
1. The Commission awards funds in the requested amount of $9,227.58 to the British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. [recently changed to the British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization (BCPSO et al.)], with respect to its participation in the review of the PNG 2012 Revenue Requirements Application.
2. PNG is directed to reimburse BCPSO et al. for the award amount in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 3rd day of December 2012.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
C.A. Brown
Commissioner