ORDER NUMBER
G-79-16
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc.
Application for Approval of 2016-2017 Revenue Requirements
and Rate Design for Northeast False Creek Hot Water Service
BEFORE:
D. A. Cote, Commissioner/Panel Chair
N. E. MacMurchy, Commissioner
W. M. Everett, Commissioner
on May 31, 2016
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On April 1, 2016, pursuant to sections 59 to 61, and 89 and 90 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc. (CE) filed with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) a 2016–2017 Revenue Requirements Application (RRA) for steam service and a rate design and RRA for Northeast False Creek (NEFC) hot water service (Application);
B. BC Sustainable Energy Association and Sierra Club (BCSEA), Old Age Pensioners’ Organization Active Support Against Poverty, Council of Senior Citizens’ Organization of BC, Disability Alliance BC, and the Tenant Resources and Advisory Centre (BCOAPO), Commercial Energy Consumers Association of British Columbia (CEC), FortisBC Energy Inc., and FortisBC Alternative Energy Services Inc. registered as Interveners;
C. On May 3, 2016, CE filed with the Commission a request to vary Section 4.2 of the decision accompanying Order G-98-15;
D. Order G-98-15, issued on June 9, 2015, set out the Commission’s decision on CE’s 2015-2017 Revenue Requirements Application (2015 RRA Decision). Section 4.2 of the 2015 RRA Decision directs CE to file, within one year from the date of that Decision, a Phase I rate design application in regard to the recovery of fuel costs. CE requests to vary Order G-98-15 to extend the required filing date for the Phase I fuel cost rate design application from June 9, 2016 to November 1, 2016 (Fuel Cost Extension Request);
E. On May 12, 2016, by Order G-66-16 the Commission determined that the Fuel Cost Extension Request would be reviewed under this Application;
F. On May 12, 2016, by Order G-67-16 the Commission amended the regulatory timetable established under Order G-49-16 to require CE to file a more comprehensive explanation as to why it requires the extension and to invite submissions from interveners and a reply from CE;
G. On May 18, 2016, CE filed further comments regarding its reasons for the Fuel Cost Extension Request submitting, among other things, that it does not believe that the rate design changes concerning fuel costs should be considered in isolation of other rate design issues;
H. On May 20, 2016, CEC, BCOAPO and BCSEA filed submissions either supporting or not opposing CE’s Fuel Cost Extension Request; and
I. On May 24, 2016, CE filed a reply confirming its continued request for the extension; and
J. The Panel has reviewed the Fuel Cost Extension Request, the May 18, 2016 CE filing and the submissions on the matter and finds that approval is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to section 99 of the Utilities Commission Act, the British Columbia Utilities Commission approves Creative Energy Vancouver Platforms Inc.’s request to vary Section 4.2 of the Decision accompanying Order G-98-15 to extending the filing date for the Phase I fuel cost rate design application from June 9, 2016 to November 1, 2016.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 31st day of May, 2016.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. A. Cote
Commissioner/Panel Chair