BCUC postpones cable projects consolidation decision

The BC Utilities Commission has issued some (in)decisions and a revised schedule following the BCTC - VITR Pre-Hearing Conference on October 21.

1. Consolidation

The Commission is deferring a decision on consolidation of the BCTC - VITR application and the Sea Breeze - VIC application until:

- Sea Breeze has filed its responses to BCUC IR#1 to Sea Breeze in the VIC application on November 7

- completion of the VITR Pre-Hearing Conference #3 on November 10.

"If after reviewing the responses to the BCUC Information Request No. 1 and after hearing submissions during the Pre-hearing Conference, the Commission Panel decides to proceed with a review of the Sea Breeze CPCN Application the Commission Panel expects that a consolidated process will be more efficient and effective than the alternative of two review processes. Therefore, the Commission Panel has established a process that assumes the Sea Breeze CPCN Application is to be consolidated. If, however, the Commission Panel decides that a consolidated process is not appropriate in the circumstances, then a revised regulatory timetable for review of the VITR Application will be issued after the Pre-hearing Conference to be held on November 10, 2005. "

2. Town Hall Meetings

A schedule is provided (see below), but may be adjusted based on further submissions to the Commission

3. Scope will not include prior decisions on zero-rating HVDC

"the Commission Panel concludes that scope of this proceeding should not include a review of prior Commission decisions regarding the zero-rating of the HVDC system for planning purposes."

4. TRAHVOL request for clarification as to whether environmental effects are within scope

"IRAHVOL requests that the Commission Panel provide further directions to Participants regarding whether or not “environmental and socio-economic issues” are within the scope of this proceeding. IRAHVOL submits that if it were not for participant funding issues, IRAHVOL would not seek further directions as applied for in Exhibit C34-5 regarding the scope of this proceeding (T2: 257). The Commission Panel is of the view that participant funding issues should be given no weight when considering procedure or any other matters that are before the Commission. IRAHVOL’s request is denied, and IRAHVOL is encouraged not to raise participant funding issues unless done so pursuant to the Participant Assistance/Cost Award Guidelines and in writing."

5. Panel Inspection of Transmission Line Corridor

Commission is uneasy about doing the inspections, based on one objection from BCPIAC - BCOAPO. Commission awaits further submission from TRAHVOL.

6. Process for Review of Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group Request

"By letter dated October 19, 2005 (Exhibit C27-5), Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group sought certain orders. The process for review of this request will not be established at this time, and may be established after further submissions from Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group (T2: 318)."

Letter and Order G-109-05