Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-201-19

 

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

 

and

 

FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI)

Revelstoke Propane Portfolio Cost Amalgamation Application

 

BEFORE:

T. A. Loski, Panel Chair

B. A. Magnan, Commissioner

R. D. Revel, Commissioner

 

On August 27, 2019

 

ORDER

WHEREAS:

 

A.      On July 18, 2019, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval to amalgamate the Revelstoke propane supply costs with the FEI midstream natural gas supply resource costs in the Midstream Cost Reconciliation Account (MCRA) and to implement a revised propane gas cost rate setting mechanism, pursuant to sections 59 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) effective January 1, 2020 (Application);

B.      The Application also seeks approval of minor amendments to FEI’s Rate Schedules (RS) 1 to 7 regarding references to Revelstoke in rate rider 1 and rate rider 6 where applicable;

C.      In the Application, FEI proposes to amalgamate the Revelstoke propane supply costs with the FEI midstream natural gas supply resource costs in the MCRA and to implement a revised propane gas cost rate setting mechanism. FEI states the proposed rate setting mechanism will provide Revelstoke customers with propane rate stability that matches the stability of FEI’s natural gas customer rates and can provide propane commodity rate relief to Revelstoke customers.

D.      The BCUC has determined that establishing a written hearing process and a regulatory timetable is warranted.

 

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

 

1.       A regulatory timetable for the initial review of the Application is established, as set out in Appendix A to this order.

2.       By no later than the week of September 9, 2019, FEI is to publish the Public Notice, attached as Appendix B to this order, in the Vancouver Sun, the Province, and other such appropriate news publications to provide adequate notice to those parties who may have an interest in or be affected by the Application. FEI will also post messages on appropriate social media platforms advising of the Application and how to obtain more information.

3.       The Application, together with any supporting materials, will be available for inspection at the FEI office, 16705 Fraser Highway, Surrey, BC and the BCUC office at Suite 410, 900 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC. The Application and supporting materials also will be available on the FortisBC website at www.fortisbc.com and the BCUC website at www.bcuc.com.

4.       Interveners who wish to participate in the regulatory proceeding are to register with the BCUC by completing a Request to Intervene Form, available on the BCUC’s website, by the date established in the regulatory timetable attached as Appendix A to this order and in accordance with the BCUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure.

 

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this     27^th      day of August 2019.

 

BY ORDER

 

Original signed by:

 

T. A. Loski

Commissioner

 

Attachment

 

 

Fortis BC Energy (FEI)

Revelstoke Propane Portfolio Cost Amalgamation Application

 

 

 

 

 

FORTISBC ENERGY INC.’S (FEI) APPLICATION TO AMALGAMATE FEI’S REVELSTOKE PROPANE SUPPLY COSTS

 

On July 18, 2019, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval to amalgamate FEI’s Revelstoke propane supply costs with FEI’s natural gas supply costs and to implement a revised propane gas cost rate setting mechanism which will provide Revelstoke customers with propane rate stability as well as propane gas cost rate relief. 

 

If approval is granted, the proposal could result in an annual average gas cost reduction for a Revelstoke customer of up to approximately $400 based on the annual average usage of a typical residential propane customer and an annual average cost increase of approximately one dollar for each natural gas customer based on the annual usage of a typical residential natural gas customer.

 

More information on the Application can be found at bcuc.com on our “Current Proceedings” page, a hard copy of the Application is also available for review at the BCUC’s office and FEI’s head office.

 

HOW TO PARTICIPATE •         Submit a letter of comment •         Register as an intervener

IMPORTANT DATES 1.       Thursday, September 26, 2019 – Deadline to register as an intervener with the BCUC

 

For more information on how to participate, please visit our website (www.bcuc.com/get-involved) or contact us at the information below.

 

All submissions will be added to the public record and posted on the BCUC’s website.

GET MORE INFORMATION

 

FortisBC Energy Inc. Regulatory Affairs		British Columbia Utilities Commission
	16705 Fraser Highway Surrey, BC Canada V4N 0E8		Suite 410, 900 Howe Street Vancouver, BC Canada V6Z 2N3
	E: gas.regulatory.affairs@fortisbc.com		E: Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com
	P: 604.592.7664		P: 604.660.4700