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. and Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd.
Request for Reconsideration of Orders G-114-13 and G-131-13
BEFORE: D.A. Cote, Panel
Chair/Commissioner
C.A. Brown, Commissioner December
2, 2013
C.
van Wermeskerken, Commissioner
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. By way of letter dated August 19, 2013, Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG West) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for a reconsideration of Order G-114-13, pursuant to section 99 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) (PNG West Reconsideration Request);
B. By way of letter dated August 29, 2013, Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. (PNG N.E.) applied for a reconsideration of Order G-131-13, also pursuant to section 99 of the UCA [PNG (N.E.) Reconsideration Request]. PNG West and PNG (N.E.) (collectively referred to as PNG) requested a variance to delay the implementation of the directive to file the 2014 Revenue Requirements Applications for a period of two years until the 2016 and 2017 Test Years (collectively referred to as the PNG Reconsideration Request);
C. By Letter L-49-13 dated August 29, 2013, the Commission sought written submissions on the PNG West Reconsideration Request in the context of both PNG West and PNG (N.E.). The Commission received written submissions from British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization et al. (BCPSO) and PNG;
D. By Order G-168-13 dated October 10, 2013, the Commission issued its Decision on the PNG Reconsideration Request pursuant to section 99 of the UCA;
E. On November 8, 2013 BCPSO filed an application for Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) for the PNG Reconsideration Request proceeding in the amount of $470.40 (BCPSO PACA Application);
F. By email dated November 8, 2013, PNG advised the Commission that it reviewed the BCPSO PACA Application and considered it to be reasonable; and
G. The Commission has reviewed the BCPSO PACA Application with regard to the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines in Commission Order G-72-07 and finds the requested amount reasonable.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to Section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:
1. A Participant Assistant Cost Award in the requested amount of $470.40 is awarded to the British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization et al., with respect to its participation in the Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. and Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. Request for Reconsideration of Orders G-114-13 and G-131-13 proceeding.
2. Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. is directed to reimburse British Columbia Pensioners’ and Seniors’ Organization et al. for the amount awarded in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 2nd day of December 2013.
BY ORDER
Original Signed by:
D.A. Cote
Commissioner