IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Corix
Multi-Utility Services Inc.
an Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
for Phase 1 of the University of British Columbia Neighborhood District Energy
System
BEFORE: D. M. Morton, Panel Chair/Commissioner
C. A. Brown, Commissioner March 10, 2015
I. F. MacPhail, Commissioner
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY
WHEREAS:
A. On August 8, 2014, Corix Multi-Utility Services Inc. (CMUS) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for:
a. A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) under sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) to construct and operate Phase 1 of the proposed community-based district energy system at the University of British Columbia (UBC) (Project);
b. Approval under section 45 of the UCA of the Infrastructure Agreement between Corix and UBC including endorsement of the proposed project plan; and
c. Approval under sections 59 to 61 of the UCA for indicative revenue requirements, rate design and rates (CPCN Application);
B. In the CPCN Application, Phase 1 of the Project included new buildings in Wesbrook Place that are scheduled for completion between 2015 and 2023 (Phase 1 – Wesbrook), and Acadia East and Block F buildings scheduled to be built between 2020 and 2023. However, during the Streamlined Review Process held on October 30, 2014, CMUS removed Acadia East and Block F from the CPCN Application (Revised CPCN Application);
C. On December 12, 2014, by Order C-11-14A, the Commission denied a CPCN for Phase 1 – Wesbrook. However, provided that within 60 days of the date of that order CMUS filed an executed revised Infrastructure Agreement with the Carbon Emission Rider removed and a revised System Extension Policy that is aligned with the Commission’s Thermal Energy Systems Regulatory Framework Guidelines (2014), the Commission would approve a CPCN for Phase 1 – Wesbrook;
D. On February 10, 2015, CMUS filed a rate application for Phase 1 – Wesbrook pursuant to the Commission directives outlined in Order C-11-14A, which includes revenue requirements, rate design and final rates (Final Rates Application);
E. On February 11, 2015, CMUS filed an Amended and Restated Infrastructure Agreement with the Carbon Emission Rider removed, a revised System Extension Policy and other amendments (Agreement);
F. The Commission has reviewed the Agreement and has determined that the necessary amendments have been made to make it compliant with Directive 1 of Order C-11-14A. However, the Commission notes certain components of the Agreement address Phase 2 of the Project and rate matters that are beyond the scope of the approvals sought in the Revised CPCN Application.
NOW THEREFORE the Commission, pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act:
1. Approves the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to Corix Multi-Utility Services Inc. for Phase 1 – Wesbrook at the University of British Columbia as set out in the Revised CPCN Application and consistent with Order C-11-14A.
2. Approves the Amended and Restated Infrastructure Agreement, but only those components that relate solely to the CPCN for Phase 1 – Wesbrook and not those that address Phase 2 of the Project or rate matters.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 10th day of March 2015.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. M. Morton
Panel Chair/Commissioner