FEI-FEVI 2010 EEC Report filed March 31, 2011 - FortisBC

FORTISBC ENERGY INC. AND FORTISBC ENERGY (VANCOUVER ISLAND) INC.
2010 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION ANNUAL REPORT
Cost (“TRC”) of 1.0 or more. [The Companies] will consult with stakeholders on the
practical application of the weighted average TRC through the EEC Advisory Committee.
The last sentence suggests that the Companies will continue to work with the EEC stakeholders
to develop or refine programs/applications to achieve the established TRC threshold. This
conforms to the principle and framework provided under the EEC Decision. NGV incentives,
because of having a TRC well above 1.0, make a significant contribution to ensuring that the
Innovative Technologies portfolio maintains a portfolio TRC greater than 1.0.
10.2.3.2.1 Two Distinct proposals presented in the 2010-2011
RRA for EEC Funding and NGV Rate Offerings
In its Reasons for Decision, accompanying Order No. G-6-11, the Commission commented that
in the 2010-2011 RRA proceedings, the Companies “withdrew its other requests related to
NGV” besides incentive grants under Rate Schedules 6 and 26. 59 The Companies respectfully
submit that the Commission’s comments reflect that it mixes two distinct issues addressed in
separate sections of the NSAs: EEC funding and NGV rate offerings. The NSA granted
express approval of the EEC funding requests.
In their respective Revenue Requirement Applications, the Companies made two distinct
requests for approval: (1) EEC funding for Innovative Technologies Program Area, and (2) NGV
Rate Offerings. For instance, in FEI’s RRA (dated June 15, 2009 at page 227), FEI submitted
six separate proposals in the context of its EEC and Alternative Energy Solutions initiatives.
Two of these distinct proposals are:
“ 1. Increase EEC funding for 2010 over the currently-approved EEC funding to add
interruptible Industrial customer programs and Innovative Technologies programs to the
EEC portfolio, with all funding subject to the same financial treatment as approved in the
EEC Decision;
5. Approval of Tariffs for Rate Schedule 6C – Natural Gas Compression and Refuelling
Service and Rate Schedule 26 – Natural Gas Vehicle Transportation Service, and
subsequently the cancellation of Rate Schedule 6A – General Service – Vehicle
Refuelling Service.”
Item 5 listed above pertains to “Natural Gas Vehicle Rate Offerings”, which FEI further
described in its 2010-2011 RRA. 60 Specifically, FEI sought approval of Rate Schedule 6C –
Compression and Refuelling Service, Rate Schedule 26 – NGV Transportation Service, and
their supporting activities - Compression Service (“CS”) test parameters and a NGV non-rate
base deferral account. The requests for EEC funding and for natural gas vehicle rate offers are
independent of each other in the context of the RRA.
59 Order No. G-6-11, at page 5.
60 FEI 2010-2011 RRA at pages 238 to 249.
SECTION 10: INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM AREA Page 212