ORDER NUMBER
G-117-18
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Inc.
2016 Long Term Electric Resource Plan and
2016 Long Term Demand Side Management Plan
BEFORE:
H. G. Harowitz, Panel Chair/Commissioner
D. J. Enns, Commissioner
M. Kresivo, QC, Commissioner
on June 28, 2018
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On November 30, 2016, FortisBC Inc. (FBC) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) pursuant to section 44.1(6) of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for acceptance of its 2016 Long Term Electric Resource Plan (2016 LTERP) and Long Term Demand-Side Management Plan (2016 LTDSM Plan) (Application);
B. In the Application, FBC also applies to rescind Electric Tariff No. 2 Schedule 90, Energy Management Services (Rate Schedule 90);
C. The 2016 LTERP sets out a long term plan for meeting the forecast peak and energy requirements of FBC customers with demand-side and supply-side resources over the next 20 years;
D. The 2016 LTDSM Plan includes an assessment of the energy efficiency and conservation potential for FBC customers and identifies FBC’s preferred DSM scenario for long term planning purposes;
E. By Orders G-197-16, G-102-17 and G-107-17 dated December 22, 2016, June 30, 2017 and July 13, 2017 respectively, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable and written hearing process for the review of the Application, which included: two rounds of Information Requests (IR) to FBC, Intervener Evidence and IR’s on that evidence, and one round of Panel IRs;
F. On August 25, 2017, FBC filed for a suspension of the regulatory timetable. By Order G-134-17 dated August 29, 2017, the BCUC suspended the regulatory timetable until further notice;
G. On September 8, 2017, FBC filed a letter indicating its intent to file errata to its Application;
H. By Order G-139-17 dated September 13, 2017, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable setting out dates for FBC to file the errata, and interveners to review the errata and to comment on further process;
I. On September 15, 2017, FBC filed the errata to its Application;
J. By Order G-155-17, dated October 6, 2018, the BCUC ordered that the proceeding proceed to the Final Argument stage;
K. FBC’s Final Argument and Intervener Final Arguments were submitted on October 20, 2017 and November 9 -10, 2017 respectively, followed by a Reply Argument from FBC on November 24, 2017; and
L. The BCUC has reviewed and considered the evidence and submissions and makes the following determinations.
NOW THEREFORE the British Columbia Utilities Commission orders as follows:
1. The 2016 LTERP for the years up to 2024 is in the public interest and is accepted. For years beyond 2024 the 2016 LTERP is not in the public interest and is rejected;
2. The 2016 LTDSM Plan is in the public interest and is accepted;
3. Rate Schedule 90 is rescinded from FBC’s Tariff. FBC is directed to submit revised tariff pages in respect of Rate Schedule 90 no later than 30 days of the date of this order;
4. FBC is directed to file its next Long Term Resource Plan and Long Term Demand-Side Management Plan no later than December 1, 2021.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 28th day of June 2018.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
H. G. Harowitz
Commissioner