IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473
and
An Application by Cal-Gas Inc.
for Approval of an Increase to Propane Rates at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
BEFORE: R.D. Revel, Commissioner February 7, 2013
O R D E R
WHEREAS:
A. By Order C-16-01 dated November 12, 2001, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) approved a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for Cal-Gas Inc. (Cal-Gas) to construct and operate an underground propane grid system at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (KHMR or the Resort) near Golden, British Columbia;
B. By Order C-19-06 dated October 27, 2006, the Commission issued a CPCN that expanded the area at the Resort to be served by the propane grid system, and approved an Amended Agreement with Kicking Horse Mountain Development Corporation and Terms and Conditions of Service and Rate Schedules for the Resort;
C. By letter dated October 3, 2012, Cal-Gas applied to the Commission for approval to increase the variable delivery and margin components of propane rates for customers at KHMR by 2.41 cents per liter and charge a fixed monthly administration fee of $14.00 per monthly invoice (the Application);
D. Cal-Gas provided a customer notice of the Application and the requested rate increase to all propane customers at KHMR by way of a letter dated October 4, 2012;
E. By Order G-153-12A dated October 18, 2012, the Commission established a Written Hearing process for review of the Application and a Regulatory Timetable for submissions;
F. By Order G-164-12 dated November 1, 2012, the Commission established an amended Regulatory Timetable in order to allow additional time for Intervener and Interested Party registration and submissions;
G. By letter dated January 16, 2013, Cal-Gas requested approval to withdraw the sections of Exhibit B-1-1 that pertain to the proposed fixed monthly $14 administration fee, pursuant to section 88.1 of the Utilities Commission Act (Cal-Gas Letter);
H. By Order G-10-13 dated January 17, 2013, the Commission established an amended Regulatory Timetable in order to allow for Intervener comments on the Cal-Gas Letter;
I. By letter dated January 17, 2013, the Commission received comments on the Cal-Gas Letter from one Intervener (Intervener Comments). The Commission did not receive any objections to the Cal-Gas request to withdraw the sections of Exhibit B-1-1 that pertain to the proposed fixed monthly $14 administration fee;
J. The Commission has reviewed the Intervener Comments and considers that a determination on the Cal-Gas Letter is required.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 88.1 of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission orders as follows:
1. The Cal-Gas request for approval of the proposed fixed monthly $14 administration fee is dismissed from the proceeding and accordingly, no determination on the administration fee is required.
2. Evidence regarding the proposed fixed monthly $14 administration fee will remain on the record in this proceeding.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 7th of February 2013.
BY ORDER
Commissioner