Orders

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, Chapter 473

and

FortisBC Energy Inc.

Application for Approval to Include FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc. and

FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. into the 2014-2019 Multi-Year Performance Based Ratemaking Plan

BEFORE:               D. M. Morton, Panel Chair/Commissioner

                                D. A. Cote, Commissioner                                            March 16, 2015

                                N. E. MacMurchy, Commissioner

O  R  D  E  R

WHEREAS:

A.      On September 15, 2014, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) issued Order G-138-14 and the accompanying Decision, setting out the approved Performance Based Ratemaking (PBR) plan for FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) for the period from 2014 through 2019 (PBR Decision);

B.      The PBR Decision, on page 17, directed FEI to provide a detailed review of the historical expenditures of capital and operations and maintenance (O&M) for FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc. (FEVI) and FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. (FEW), as well as a formal proposal for including FEVI and FEW within the PBR plan;

C.      On November 14, 2014, FEI filed an application requesting approval of the following:

•         An increase to its 2014 Base O&M by $39.066 million, which includes an increase of $36.564 to reflect the O&M required for FEVI and FEW, and a further increase of $2.502 million to reflect projected FEVI 2014 Company Use Gas;

•         An increase to its 2014 Base Capital by $28.22 million to reflect the Capital Expenditures required for FEVI and FEW (Application);

D.      On February 11, 2015, Commission Order G-17-15 amended the Regulatory Timetable established by Order
G-202-14;

E.       In accordance with the Regulatory Timetable established by Order G-17-15, FEI, British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization et al. (BCOAPO) and Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia (CEC) filed submission regarding further process;

F.       FEI’s March 4, 2015 submission states “that the information on the record in this proceeding is fulsome and sufficient, and that the regulatory review process should now proceed to the argument phase.” FEI’s submission also included a proposed regulatory timetable;

G.     BCOAPO’s March 5, 2015 submission states that BCOAPO “does not require an additional round of Information Requests in this proceeding and are content proceed to final submissions.” BCOAPO’s submission also requests that “Intervenor final submissions be pushed forward a week from the date suggested by FEI to April 14”;

H.      CEC’s March 6, 2015 submission states that “a second round of information requests is appropriate” and made no submissions regarding further process;

I.        On March 10, 2105, FEI filed its reply to the intervener submissions. FEI submits that the issues before the Commission are narrow and that evidentiary record provides the material evidence that the Commission needs to determine the 2014 base costs for FEVI and FEW to be added to FEI’s PBR plan. FEI also states that it would be most appropriate to proceed to written argument at this time and does not oppose the BCOAPO’s requested adjustment to FEI’s proposed regulatory timetable;

J.        The Panel reviewed the responses to Information Request No. 1, the submission from FEI and the Registered Interveners and considers it necessary to have a brief second round of Information Requests to complete the evidentiary record.

NOW THEREFORE the Commission orders that the remainder of the review process for the Application shall proceed according to the Regulatory Timetable that is included as Appendix A to this order. Parties must be mindful of balancing a fulsome evidentiary record with regulatory efficiency and may only utilize Information Request No. 2 where and if necessary.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this          16^th                 day of March 2015.

                                                                                                                                BY ORDER

Original signed by:

D. M. Morton

                                                                                                                                Commissioner

Attachment

FortisBC Energy Inc.

Application for Approval to Include FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc. and

FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. into the 2014-2019 Multi-Year Performance Based Ratemaking Plan

REGULATORY TIMETABLE