ORDER NUMBER
G-209-18
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Inc.
Annual Review for 2019 Rates
BEFORE:
R. I. Mason, Panel Chair/Commissioner
D. J. Enns, Commissioner
on November 5, 2018
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On September 15, 2014, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) issued its Decision and Order G-139-14 for FortisBC Inc. (FBC) approving a Multi-Year Performance Based Ratemaking (PBR) Plan for 2014 through 2019 (PBR Decision). In accordance with the PBR Decision, an annual review process with the BCUC will be undertaken to set rates for each year;
B. By Order G-142-18 dated July 31, 2018, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the annual review of 2019 rates, which included:
• The anticipated filing date for FBC’s annual review materials;
• Intervener registration;
• One round of BCUC and intervener information requests;
• A workshop;
• FBC response to undertakings requested at the workshop; and
• Intervener written final arguments and FBC written reply arguments;
C. On August 10, 2018, FBC submitted its Annual Review for 2019 Rates Application (Application) seeking approval to, among other things, maintain 2019 rates at existing levels pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA);
D. On August 2, 2018, pursuant to section 44.2 of the UCA, FBC also submitted its Application for Acceptance of Demand Side Management Expenditures for the 2019 to 2022 period (DSM Application) which is being reviewed in a separate proceeding;
E. Pursuant to section 44.2(2) of the UCA, the BCUC may not consent under section 61 of the UCA to an amendment to a schedule filed under section 61 to the extent that the amendment is for the purpose of, among other things, recovering expenditures on demand-side measures the public utility anticipates making during the period addressed by the schedule, unless the amendment is for the purpose of setting an interim rate;
F. On October 3, 2018, FBC submitted an evidentiary update to the Application;
G. On October 19, 2018, pursuant to sections 59 to 61 and 89 of the UCA, FBC filed a request to approve its existing rates for all customer classes as interim and refundable effective January 1, 2019, pending the BCUC’s decision on the Application and DSM Application;
H. The BCUC has reviewed the request, and in consideration of the DSM Application, finds the approval of an interim rate for 2019 is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 89 of the UCA, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. FBC’s application to maintain its existing rates for all customer classes, effective January 1, 2019, is approved on an interim and refundable basis.
2. FBC is directed to refund/recover any variance between interim and permanent rates as determined by the BCUC following its final determinations on the Application and DSM Application with interest at the average prime rate of FBC’s principal bank for its most recent year.
3. FBC is directed to file with the BCUC, within 30 days of the issuance of this order, amended tariff pages in accordance with the terms of this order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 5th day of November 2018.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
R. I. Mason
Commissioner