ORDER NUMBER
F-24-18
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.
2018–2019 Revenue Requirements Application
Participant Assistance/Cost Award
BEFORE:
D. A. Cote, Commissioner/Panel Chair
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
A. K. Fung, QC, Commissioner
on October 4, 2018
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On November 30, 2017, Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) filed its 2018–2019 Revenue Requirements Application (RRA) for its West Division (PNG‐West) with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), pursuant to sections 58 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), seeking approval for 2018 and 2019 delivery rates changes, among other things (Application);
B. The British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization, Active Support Against Poverty, Disability Alliance BC, Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC, and Tenants Resource and Advisory Centre (BCOAPO et al.) registered as an intervener in the proceeding;
C. By Order G-30-18 dated February 2, 2018, the BCUC established a written public hearing process, including two rounds of BCUC and intervener information requests (IRs), followed by written final and reply arguments;
D. On February 28, 2018, PNG filed its Amended Application;
E. On June 29, 2018 BCOAPO et al. filed a Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) application with the BCUC in the amount of $22,625.50 with respect to their participation in the proceeding;
F. By Order G-151-18 and the accompanying reasons dated August 15, 2018, the BCUC approved, among other things, 2018 permanent and 2019 interim delivery rate changes for PNG;
G. By email dated August 21, 2018, PNG provided its comments on the BCOAPO et al. PACA application, stating that it finds the fees and expenses to be reasonable; and
H. The BCUC has reviewed the BCOAPO et. al PACA application in accordance with the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines, attached to BCUC Order G-97-17, and concludes that the cost award should be approved.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 118(1) of the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. Funding is awarded to BCOAPO et al. in the amount of $22,625.50 for their participation in PNG-West 2018–2019 RRA proceeding.
2. PNG is directed to reimburse BCOAPO et al. for the awarded amount in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 4th day of October 2018.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
D. A. Cote
Commissioner