ORDER NUMBER
C-4-20
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
FortisBC Inc.
Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the
Kelowna Bulk Transformer Addition Project
BEFORE:
R. I. Mason, Panel Chair
W. M. Everett, QC, Commissioner
T. A. Loski, Commissioner
on November 30, 2020
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On April 24, 2020, pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), FortisBC Inc. (FBC) filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the Kelowna Bulk Transformer Addition Project (Project) (Application);
B. The Project comprises the following:
• The installation of a new 120/160/200 MVA 230/138 kV bulk transformer at the F.A. Lee Terminal Station (Lee Terminal Station);
• The required substation modifications, including the reconfiguration of the 238 kV bus to a ring bus configuration, inside the Lee Terminal Station;
• Re-alignment of some existing transmission structures outside of the Lee Terminal Station; and
• Removal of the existing distribution egress within the station and re-alignment of distribution lines outside the Lee Terminal Station;
C. By Order G-107-20, dated May 5, 2020, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application, which consisted of intervener registration, two rounds of information requests and final and reply arguments;
D. FBC and Intervener final arguments were received on September 3, 2020 and September 17, 2020, respectively. FBC submitted its reply argument on September 29, 2020; and
E. The BCUC has considered the Application, evidence and submissions from all parties and finds that public convenience and necessity require that the Project proceed and the following determinations to be warranted.
NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:
1. Pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the UCA, a CPCN is granted to FBC for the Project, authorizing the following:
(a) The installation of a new 120/160/200 MVA 230/138 kV bulk transformer at the F.A. Lee Terminal Station;
(b) The required substation modifications, including the reconfiguration of the 238 kV bus to a ring bus configuration, inside the F.A. Lee Terminal Station;
(c) Re-alignment of some existing transmission structures outside of the F.A. Lee Terminal Station; and
(d) Removal of the existing distribution egress within the station and re-alignment of distribution lines outside the F. A. Lee Terminal Station.
2. FBC is directed to provide the following reports:
1. Material Change Reports:
• A material change is a change in FBC’s plan for the Project that would reasonably be expected to have a significant impact on the schedule, cost or scope, such that:
o The Project schedule and/or the in-service date is delayed by 3 months or longer;
o The total Project costs exceeds 10 percent of the estimated Project cost provided in Table 6‑1 of the Application; and
o There is a change to the Project scope provided in section 5 of the Application.
• In the event of a material change, FBC must file a material change report with the BCUC explaining the reasons for the material change, FBC’s consideration of the Project risk and the options available, and actions FBC is taking to address the material change FBC must file the material change report as soon as practicable and in any event within 30 days of the date on which the material change occurs.
2. Final Report:
• A Final Report is to be filed within three months of substantial completion of the Project. The report is to include:
o the final cost of the transformer;
o a complete breakdown of the final costs of installation;
o a comparison of these costs to the estimates provided in this Application;
o an explanation of all material cost variances for any of the cost items provided in Table 6-1 of the Application that exceed 10 percent;
o details of any further consultation conducted, any issues raised, and measures undertaken by FBC to resolve the identified issues; and
o the results of its noise measurement study and any mitigation measures.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 30th day of November 2020.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
R. I. Mason
Commissioner