Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-287-20

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

FortisBC Inc.

Annual Review for 2020 and 2021 Rates

BEFORE:

T. A. Loski, Panel Chair

C. Brewer, Commissioner

E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner

on November 6, 2020

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On June 22, 2020, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) issued its Decision and Orders G-165-20 for FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) and G-166-20 for FortisBC Inc. (FBC) approving a Multi-Year Rate Plan for 2020 through 2024 (MRP Decision). In accordance with the MRP Decision, FBC is to conduct an annual review process to set rates for each year;

B.      By Order G-211-20 dated August 11, 2020, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the annual review of FBC’s 2020 and 2021 rates;

C.      On August 19, 2020, FBC submitted its Annual Review for 2020 and 2021 Rates Application (Application);

D.      On October 9, 2020, FBC submitted an evidentiary update to the Application (First Evidentiary Update) with respect to an error identified in the financial analysis. FBC stated that the update does not have an impact on proposed 2020 or 2021 rates;

E.       On October 28, 2020, FBC filed responses to undertakings requested at the workshop held on October 21, 2020 (Workshop Undertakings) and submitted a further evidentiary update to the Application (Second Evidentiary Update). The revised 2021 revenue requirement results in a 2021 general rate increase of 4.36 percent, effective January 1, 2021;

F.       By Order G-274-20 dated October 29, 2020, the BCUC amended the regulatory timetable to include information requests (IRs) on FBC’s Workshop Undertakings and Second Evidentiary Update, followed by written final and reply arguments;

G.      By letter dated November 6, 2020, FBC requested a one-week extension to its IR responses to Workshop Undertakings and Second Evidentiary Update. FBC explains that additional time is required in order to prepare thorough responses and that it is also preparing an interim rate request expected to be filed to the BCUC in the next week; and

H.      The BCUC has considered FBC’s request and finds that an extension and further amendment to the regulatory timetable is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC amends the regulatory timetable established by Order G-274-20. The amended regulatory timetable is set out as attached as Appendix A to this order.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this                6^th            day of November 2020.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

T. A. Loski

Commissioner

Attachment

FortisBC Inc.

Annual Review for 2020 and 2021 Rates