ORDER NUMBER
G-342-23
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Optional Residential Time-of-Use Rate Application
BEFORE:
T. A. Loski, Panel Chair
A. K. Fung, KC, Commissioner
on December 12, 2023
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On February 27, 2023, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed its Optional Residential Time-of-Use Rate Application (Application) seeking approval of Rate Schedule 2101 - Residential Service - Time-of-Use-Rate (Optional Residential TOU Rate), effective the later of April 1, 2024 or the first day of the fourth calendar month following the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) order approving the rate schedule;
B. BC Hydro proposes that the Optional Residential TOU Rate be as follows:
1. Available to BC Hydro’s Residential Service Customers on a voluntary, opt-in basis, in BC Hydro’s integrated service area;
2. Applicable for all electricity consumption under a Residential Service account, including electric vehicle charging; and
3. An “add-on” rate that applies year-round and every day of the year, such that participating customers are first billed for their total electricity usage during a billing period based on their existing Residential Service rate, and then will receive:
i. A 5-cent credit for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity consumed during the Overnight period (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.);
ii. A 5-cent additional charge for each kWh of electricity consumed during the On-Peak period (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.); and
iii. No credit or additional charge for each kWh of electricity consumed during the Off-Peak period (9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.);
C. In the Application, BC Hydro also:
1. Proposes to submit an evaluation report for the proposed Optional Residential TOU Rate in fiscal 2029 as described in the Application; and
2. Requests relief from the reporting requirements of Directive No. 2 of Order G-92-19, which required BC Hydro to file information with the BCUC regarding its experience resulting from the amended terms and conditions to facilitate Residential Service Customers to charge their Zero-Emission Vehicles at their Dwelling;
D. By Orders G-49-23 and G-228-23, the BCUC established a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application that included, among other things, a round of information requests (IRs) to BC Hydro, a second round of IRs with limited scope, and final and reply arguments;
E. During the proceeding to review the Application, BC Hydro filed an updated Rate Schedule 2101 - Residential Service - Time-of-Use-Rate in Attachment 1 to its supplemental response to BCUC IR 38.5 in Exhibit B-9. This updated rate schedule reflects, among other things, BC Hydro’s proposal to include the application of the credits and charges under the Optional Residential TOU Rate to the hourly deliveries of energy by BC Hydro to net metering service customers;
F. In BC Hydro’s reply argument dated November 10, 2023, it notes that it now anticipates June 1, 2024 as the earliest launch date of the Optional Residential TOU Rate, but that it will endeavour to launch earlier if possible; and
G. The BCUC has reviewed the Application, evidence and arguments filed in this proceeding and considers that a determination on the proposed Optional Residential TOU Rate is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 58 to 61 and 99 of the Utilities Commission Act, and for the reasons in the decision issued concurrently with this order, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. Rate Schedule 2101 – Residential Service – Time-of-Use as shown in Attachment 1 to BC Hydro’s supplemental response to BCUC IR 38.5 in Exhibit B-9 is approved, effective April 1, 2024 or the earliest date that BC Hydro can launch the Optional Residential TOU Rate.
2. BC Hydro is directed to file Rate Schedule 2101 – Residential Service – Time-of-Use with the BCUC for endorsement no later than March 11, 2024.
3. BC Hydro is directed to file an evaluation report on the Optional Residential TOU Rate no later than March 31, 2029.
4. Directive No. 2 of Order G-92-19 is rescinded.
5. BC Hydro is directed to comply with all other directives contained in the decision issued concurrently with this order.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 12th day of December 2023.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
T. A. Loski
Commissioner