Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-287-19

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

Net Metering Ratepayer Group

Application for Reconsideration of BCUC Order G-276-19

BEFORE:

A. K. Fung, QC, Commissioner

on November 14, 2019

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On November 12, 2019, the Net Metering Ratepayer Group (NMRG) filed an application seeking reconsideration of the length of the extension granted for filing intervener evidence in the British Columbia Power and Authority (BC Hydro) Application to Amend Net Metering Service under Rate Schedule 1289 (Net Metering Application). Specifically, NMRG submits the filing deadline for NMRG and other affected parties should be extended to November 25, 2019 (Reconsideration Application);

B.      By Order G-217-19A dated September 16, 2019, the BCUC established the remainder of the regulatory timetable for the review of the Net Metering Application;

C.      During the October 25, 2019 to October 27, 2019 period, the BCUC underwent an IT systems and equipment upgrade. Notice of the IT upgrade and its potential impact were provided on the BCUC website and on social media;

D.      By email dated November 4, 2019, the BCUC notified BC Hydro, registered interveners, and interested parties to the Net Metering Application proceeding that some parties may not have received a web notification for BC Hydro’s responses to BCUC and Intervener Information Requests No. 2 filed as Exhibits B-7, B-8, B-8-1, which were posted on October 25, 2019, and provided links to those exhibits;

E.       By letter dated November 6, 2019, the NMRG requested an extension to the deadline for filing intervener evidence from November 7, 2019 to November 22, 2019, stating that without proper web notification of Exhibits B-7, B-8 and B-8-1 an unknown number of parties have been deprived of knowledge of or access to over 266 pages of essential information. NMRG submitted that under the circumstances, requiring Interveners to file their evidence on November 7, 2019 would create irreparable prejudice for some or all Interveners;

F.       By letter dated November 7, 2019, the BCUC notified the parties to the Net Metering Application proceeding that the deadline to file intervener evidence would be extended to November 14, 2019, and that an order with an amended regulatory timetable would be issued in due course; 

G.     By Order G-276-19 dated November 7, 2019, the BCUC amended the regulatory timetable in the Net Metering Application proceeding, which included an extension to the deadline for filing intervener evidence to November 14, 2019;

H.      Following the receipt of the Reconsideration Application and by Order G-281-19 dated November 13, 2019, the BCUC suspended the review of the Net Metering Application pending the outcome of the Reconsideration Application;

I.        By letter dated November 14, 2019, BC Hydro states that it has not considered and takes no position with regards to the merits of the Reconsideration Application. BC Hydro further states it has no objection to an extension of the deadline for the filing of intervener evidence to November 25, 2019, if the BCUC determines that an extension is warranted;

J.        Part V of the BCUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, which are attached to Order G-15-19, set out the Rules for the reconsideration process (Reconsideration Rules); and

K.      The Panel has commenced review of the Reconsideration Application and considers that a public hearing process is warranted and should be established in accordance with section 29 of the Reconsideration Rules.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders that a public hearing process be established in accordance with the regulatory timetable set out in Appendix A to this order.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this             14^th         day of November 2019.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

A. K. Fung, QC

Commissioner

Attachment

Net Metering Ratepayer Group

Application for Reconsideration of BCUC Order G-276-19