Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-260-24

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Fort Nelson Long-Term Resource Plan

BEFORE:

M. Jaccard, Panel Chair

B. A. Magnan, Commissioner

on October 15, 2024

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On June 14, 2024, the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed its 2024 Fort Nelson Long-Term Resource Plan Application (Application);

B.      BC Hydro is seeking acceptance of the Application by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) as in the public interest pursuant to section 44.1 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA);

C.      By letter dated July 3, 2024, BC Hydro requested the BCUC delay the start of the regulatory proceeding for the Application in recognition of the impact of wildfires on the Fort Nelson region over the summer of 2024, to allow the Fort Nelson region to concentrate on recovery efforts and provide them the appropriate opportunity to participate in the proceeding;

D.      By letter dated September 26, 2024, BC Hydro provided an update to the BCUC regarding commencement of the proceeding to review the Application, noting that local government and First Nations (Prophet River First Nation, Fort Nelson First Nation, and Dene Tha’ First Nation) are supportive of commencing the proceeding in October; and  

E.       The BCUC considers establishing a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       A public hearing is established for the review of the Application in accordance with the regulatory timetable set out in Appendix A to this order. 

2.       BC Hydro is directed to provide a copy of this order and the Application, electronically if possible, to the First Nation communities and local government within the Fort Nelson region by Tuesday, October 22, 2024. 

3.       BC Hydro must provide written confirmation to the BCUC of compliance with Directive 2 above in accordance with the regulatory timetable.

4.       Intervention will be limited to those parties that are directly or sufficiently affected by the Application. Parties must specify in the Request to Intervene Form (found on the BCUC’s website at https://www.bcuc.com/Forms/RequestToIntervene) how they are affected in relation to the Application.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this      15th      day of October 2024.

BY ORDER

Original signed by:

M. Jaccard

Commissioner

Attachment

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Fort Nelson Long-Term Resource Plan