October 17, 2023 Sent via email To: Public Utilities
Patrick Wruck Commission Secretary
Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com bcuc.com
Suite 410, 900 Howe Street Vancouver, BC Canada V6Z 2N3 P: 604.660.4700 TF: 1.800.663.1385 F: 604.660.1102
Letter L-46-23
Re: British Columbia Utilities Commission – Annual Report Requirements On December 15, 1994, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), in compliance with section 24 (formerly section 29) of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), issued Letter L-36-94 instructing the utilities under its jurisdiction (Public Utilities) to file an Annual Report within four months after the end of the utility’s fiscal year. On April 10, 1995, the BCUC issued Letter L-14-95 adding an additional employee compensation reporting requirement. On December 18, 2015, the BCUC issued Letter L-45-15 updating the Annual Report filing requirements to align changes to the UCA. These were subsequently supplemented by letters L-65-20 issued on October 28, 2020, and L-8-22, issued on April 7, 2022, which required utilities to provide certain capital expenditures and summary information.
Pursuant to section 24 of the UCA, the BCUC is required to keep itself informed about the Public Utilities under its jurisdiction.
24
In its supervision of public utilities, the commission must make examinations and conduct inquiries necessary to keep itself informed about
(a) the conduct of public utility business, (b) compliance by public utilities with this Act, regulations or any other law, and (c) any other matter in the commission's jurisdiction. Updated Filing Requirements The BCUC is conscious of the need to streamline Public Utility reporting requirements, avoid duplication and manage regulatory costs. Accordingly, Annual Reporting requirements prescribed by Letters L-36-94, L-14-95 and L-45-15, are discontinued as of the date of this letter. To achieve our statutory requirements to keep informed, the BCUC instructs Public Utilities to submit the Summary Information Form contained in Letter L-8-22 (attached). The Summary Information Form is due within four months after the end of the Public Utility’s fiscal year, subject to a two-month extension if requested.
Also, the BCUC is reviewing the need for other, ongoing filing requirements established by BCUC Decisions and Orders. Many of these requirements are currently included within the Public Utility’s Annual Report. Public Utilities should continue to provide such documents with its Summary Information Form unless notified otherwise. These entities can also seek a review of specific filing requirements that are burdensome and/or of a diminished relevance. Public Utilities are encouraged to review filings to ensure that the content of the documents filed is consistent with reporting requirements established by Orders and Decisions of the BCUC and exclude unnecessary information.
Annual Report Requirements
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Finally, section 45(6) of the UCA requires Public Utilities to file annually, with the BCUC, a statement of planned extensions to its facilities. Entities currently filing this information (as directed by Letter L-65-20) within Annual Reports to the BCUC should attach the enclosed Capital Expenditures table to their Summary Information Form.
Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned for questions or clarifications regarding Public Utility filing requirements.
Sincerely, Original signed by: Patrick Wruck Commission Secretary
KN/jp Enclosure
Annual Report Requirements
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Annual Report Capital Expenditures Table as required by L-65-20
CPCN System Extensions Other Capital Total
Annual Report Requirements
Forecast 2020
(a)
Capital Expenditures ($)
Actual 2020
(b)
2020 Variance
(a)-(b)=(c)
Forecast 2021
(d)
Forecast 2022
(e)
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