ORDER NUMBER
G-74-19
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Inc.
Annual Review for 2019 Rates
BEFORE:
R. I. Mason, Commissioner
on April 2, 2019
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. On August 10, 2018, FBC submitted its Annual Review for 2019 Rates Application materials (2019 Annual Review) and on October 3, 2018, FBC submitted an evidentiary update to the Application (Evidentiary Update), seeking approval to, among other things, maintain 2019 rates at existing levels, pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA);
C. By letter dated 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 FBC’s Application for Acceptance of Demand Side Management (DSM) Expenditures for the 2019 to 2022 period (2019‑2022 DSM Application), which was filed with the BCUC on August 2, 2018;
D. By Order G-209-18 dated November 5, 2018, the BCUC approved FBC’s request for interim rates, effective January 1, 2019;
E. By Order G-246-18 and accompanying reasons for decision dated December 19, 2018, the BCUC issued its decision regarding the 2019 Annual Review. The BCUC, among other things, directed that FBC’s current rates, which were approved as interim by Order G-209-18, will remain interim and refundable/recoverable until the completion of the 2019‑2022 DSM Application proceeding. FBC was directed to file as a compliance filing the finalized financial schedules for the 2019 test period no later than 15 days from the issuance of the BCUC’s decision on the 2019‑2022 DSM Application;
F. By Order G-47-19 and accompanying reasons for decision dated March 4, 2019, the BCUC issued its decision on the 2019‑2022 DSM Application;
G. On March 15, 2019, FBC submitted its compliance filing to Order G-246-18 (Compliance Filing), requesting approval to set its existing interim rates as permanent, effective January 1, 2019; and
H. The BCUC has reviewed the Compliance Filing and considers that approval of permanent rates for 2019 for all customer classes is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:
1. FBC’s request to maintain existing rates on a permanent basis, effective January 1, 2019, is approved.
2. FBC is directed to file with the BCUC, within 30 days of the issuance of this order, revised tariff pages in accordance with the terms of this order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 2nd day of April 2019.
BY ORDER
Original Signed By:
R. I. Mason
Commissioner