ORDER NUMBER
F-43-20
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd.
Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
To Implement Automated Meter Reading Infrastructure
BEFORE:
W. M. Everett, QC, Panel Chair
C. Brewer, Commissioner
R. I. Mason, Commissioner
on November 23, 2020
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On March 25, 2020, Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd. (PNG(NE)) filed an application (Application) with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) seeking a Certification of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA) for the implementation of Automated Meter Reading (AMR) Infrastructure in its service areas (the AMR Project);
B. On April 9, 2020, by Order G-86-20, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the initial review of the Application, which provided for, among other things, provision of public notice, a round of BCUC Information Requests (IR), PNG(NE) responses to IRs, and intervener registration.
C. British Columbia Old Age Pensioners’ Organization, Active Support Against Poverty, Disability Alliance BC, Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC, and Tenants Resource and Advisory Centre (collectively, BCOAPO et al.) registered as an intervener in the proceeding.
D. On June 24, 2020, by Order G-169-20, the BCUC amended the regulatory timetable, which provided for a subsequent round of IRs, final and reply arguments.
E. On September 24, 2020, the BCUC issued Order C-3-20, granting the CPCN for reasons to follow.
F. On November 9, 2020, the BCUC issued its reasons to Order C-3-20.
G. The following participant filed a Participant Assistance/Cost Award (PACA) Application with the BCUC with respect to its participation in the proceeding:
|
Date |
Participant |
Application |
|
September 28, 2020 |
BCOAPO et al. |
$5,233.64 |
H. By email dated November 9, 2020, PNG(NE) provided its comments on the BCOAPO et al.’s PACA Application, stating that it finds the PACA application to be reasonable; and
I. The BCUC has reviewed the PACA Application in accordance with the criteria and rates set out in the PACA Guidelines attached to Order G-97-17 and concludes that PACA funding is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:
1. Funding is awarded to the following intervener in the listed amount for their participation in the PNG(NE) Application for a CPCN for the implementation of the AMR Project:
|
Participant |
Award |
|
BCOAPO et al. |
$5,233.64 |
2. PNG is directed to reimburse the above-noted participant for the awarded amount in a timely manner.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 23rd day of November 2020.
BY ORDER
Original Signed By:
W. M. Everett, QC
Commissioner