Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-68-20

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc.

Evacuation Relief Tariff Amendment Application

BEFORE:

A. K. Fung, QC, Panel Chair

T.A. Loski, Commissioner

on March 26, 2020

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On August 8, 2019, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for the following approvals (Application):

1.       pursuant to section 63 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), BC Hydro seeks consent to waive certain charges for residential, small general service, irrigation and private outdoor lighting service customers in BC Hydro’s service territory subject to evacuation orders from the period starting December 5, 2018 and until final BCUC approval of the Evacuation Relief Tariff Application and Regulatory Account Treatment (Part 1 of the Application); and

2.       pursuant to sections 59-62 of the UCA, BC Hydro seeks approval for tariff changes to the BC Hydro’s Electric Tariff. The changes to the tariff are to permit credit relief or waiver of charges to customers who are subject to an evacuation order. BC Hydro also seeks approval for the deferral of revenue impacts related to this credit relief and waivers of charges to the Storm Restoration Costs Regulatory Account (Part 2 of the Application);

B.      Following a review of Part 1 of the Application, on October 3, 2019, by Order G-239-19, the BCUC consented, pursuant to section 63 of the UCA, to BC Hydro providing bill credits and waivers to customers affected by evacuation orders;

C.      On August 1, 2018, pursuant to sections 59 to 62 of the UCA, FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc. (collectively, FBC) applied to the BCUC for approval for tariff changes to the FBC General Terms and Conditions (FBC Application). The changes to the FBC tariff are to permit evacuation relief for customers who are subject to an evacuation order;

D.      By Order G-170-18, the BCUC determined that a hearing regarding the FBC Application would be established at a later date;

E.       By Orders G-249-19 and G-250-19, the BCUC found that regulatory efficiency warranted both Part 2 of the BC Hydro Application and the FBC Application be heard at the same time;

F.       On October 23, 2019, BC Hydro and FBC both requested the Regulatory Timetable be amended to delay the proceeding, citing resource constraints and proposed an amended regulatory timetable for the BCUC’s consideration. By Order G-256-19, the BCUC amended the Regulatory Timetable;

G.     On February 19, 2020, BC Hydro and FBC filed their respective responses to BCUC and Intervener Information Requests (IRs); and

H.      The BCUC has reviewed the IR responses and considers that establishment of a further regulatory timetable is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE, the BCUC further establishes the Regulatory Timetable, as outlined in Appendix A to this order.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, on this          26th              day of March 2020.

BY ORDER

Original Signed By:

A. K. Fung, QC

Commissioner

Attachment

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc.

Evacuation Relief Tariff Amendment Application