IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application by FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc.
for Approval of 2014 Revenue Requirements and Rates
BEFORE: L.F. Kelsey, Commissioner October 2, 2013
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. On September 25, 2013, FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc. (FEVI) filed for approval of interim and permanent delivery rates effective January 1, 2014 (Application) pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act and the Special Direction to the Commission pursuant to Order in Council 1510 (Special Direction);
B. FEVI seeks, among other things, approval to maintain current natural gas rates for all customers, other than those with specified rates in their transportation service agreements, for a one-year period commencing January 1, 2014. FEVI proposes to utilize the surplus that will exist in the Rate Stabilization Deferral Account (RSDA) to allow for rates to remain unchanged for 2014;
C. FEVI also seeks approval of its schedule of demand and commodity charges, forecast gross operating and maintenance (O&M) expenditures and, pursuant to section 2.10 of the Special Direction, its forecast cost of service, forecast capital expenditures, and forecast revenue;
D. FEVI also seeks, among other things, approvals including allocation of costs for corporate and shared services, and the discontinuation, continuation, and creation of deferral accounts and the amortization and disposition of balances in deferral accounts;
E. FEVI proposes that the Application be reviewed by a written hearing process; and
F. The Commission considers establishing a Preliminary Regulatory Timetable for the review of the Application is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE the Commission Orders:
1. FEVI’s existing delivery rates are set as interim effective January 1, 2014. Any differences between the 2014 interim and permanent delivery rates that are determined by the Commission following final disposition of the Application are subject to refund/recovery, with interest at the average prime rate of FEVI’s principal bank for its most recent year, in the manner as set out by a Commission Order that establishes permanent delivery rates.
2. The Preliminary Regulatory Timetable for the review of the Application is as set out in Appendix A to this Order.
3. FEVI must publish, as soon as possible, in display-ad format, the Notice of Application attached as Appendix B to this Order, in such appropriate local news publications as may properly provide adequate notice to customers served in the affected service area.
4. The Application, together with any supporting materials, must be made available for inspection at the FortisBC Energy Utilities Head Office, 16705 Fraser Highway, Surrey, BC, V4N 0E8, at the British Columbia Utilities Commission, Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2N3 and will also be available on the FortisBC website at www.fortisbc.com and the Commission website at www.bcuc.com.
5. Interveners or Interested Parties must register with the Commission, in writing or electronic submission, by Thursday, October 17, 2013. Interveners should specifically state the nature of their interest in the Application and identify generally the nature of the issues that they may intend to pursue during the proceeding and the nature and extent of their anticipated involvement in the review process.
6. FEVI and Registered Interveners must provide submissions on the regulatory process and timetable by Monday, December 16, 2013.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 2nd day of October, 2013.
BY ORDER
Original signed by
L.F. Kelsey
Commissioner
Attachments
An Application by FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc.
for Approval of 2014 Revenue Requirements and Rates
PRELIMINARY REGULATORY TIMETABLE
|
Action |
Date (2013) |
|
Intervener and Interested Party Registration |
Thursday, October 17 |
|
Commission Information Request No. 1 |
Friday, November 15 |
|
Intervener Information Request No. 1 |
Thursday, November 21 |
|
FEVI Response to Commission and Intervener Information Request No. 1 |
Thursday, December 12 |
|
FEVI and Intervener Submissions on Regulatory Process and Timetable |
Monday, December 16 |
|
An Application by FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc.
for Approval of 2014 Revenue Requirements and Rates
Notice of Application
THE APPLICATION
On September 25, 2013, FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc. (FEVI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for approval of interim and permanent delivery rates for 2014 (Application) pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the Utilities Commission Act and the Special Direction to the Commission pursuant to Order in Council 1510. The Application seeks approval, among other things, to maintain the current (2013) rates for Core Market sales and transportation customers, other than customers who have specified rates in their transportation service agreements, for 2014.
INTERVENTIONS
Persons wishing to actively participate in the FEVI proceeding must register as Interveners through the Commission’s website at www.bcuc.com by Thursday, October 17, 2013. In their registration, Interveners must identify the issues that they intend to pursue and indicate the extent of their anticipated involvement in the review process. Interveners will each receive a copy of all non-confidential correspondence and filed documentation, and must provide an email address if available. Non-residents of the FEVI service area must state why their interests are affected; the Commission Panel may otherwise restrict registration to residents of the FEVI service area.
Persons not expecting to actively participate, but who have an interest in the proceeding, should register as Interested Parties through the Commission’s website or in writing by Thursday, October 17, 2013, identifying their interest in the proceeding.
By participating and/or providing comment on the Application, you agree that all submissions and/or correspondence received will be placed on the public record and posted on the Commission’s website.
THE REGULATORY PROCESS
The Commission has established a Preliminary Regulatory Timetable for the regulatory review of the Application. This Preliminary Regulatory Timetable can be viewed on the Commission’s website at www.bcuc.com.
PUBLIC INSPECTION OF THE DOCUMENTS
The Application and supporting documents will be available for viewing online and in person at:
|
FortisBC Energy Utilities 16705 Fraser Highway Surrey, BC V4N 0E8 |
BC Utilities Commission Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 2N3 |
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, please contact Erica Hamilton, Commission Secretary:
Telephone: (604) 660-4700
BC Toll Free: 1-800-663-1385
Facsimile: (604) 660-1102
Email: commission.secretary@bcuc.com