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

Intervenor Positions
BCOAPO prefers the “Societal test” over other cost‐benefit tests which it argues “do not capture
the non‐economic benefits of DSM programs”. (BCOAPO Argument, p. 4)
According to the California Standard Practice Manual, the “Societal test” is a variant of the TRC
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test. It differs in that it looks at society as a whole as opposed to the utility’s service territory and
includes the effects of externalities, such as environmental implications. It also excludes tax credit
benefits and uses a “societal” discount rate.
Mr. Plunkett notes in his evidence that: “[i]ncluding external social and environmental benefits in
calculating DSM cost‐effectiveness would be to apply the societal test, not the total resource cost
(TRC) test. Other jurisdictions such as Vermont and New York apply the societal test as the
threshold determinant of DSM cost‐effectiveness. Explicitly valuing social and environmental
externalities in DSM cost‐effectiveness will lead to more efficient resource allocation – and greater
societal net benefits – than the economically inferior policy of pursuing a portfolio benefit/cost
ratio under the TRC test of 1.0.” (Exhibit C5‐7, BCUC 1.5.2)
Commission Determination
The Commission Panel acknowledges the Societal test as one which addresses a broader spectrum
of factors not included in the TRC test. While recognising that societal factors have significance,
the Commission Panel views many of these factors as being rather subjective and difficult to
measure. The Commission Panel also takes note of the DSM Regulation which will apply to Terasen
as of June 01, 2009 requiring the Commission to use, in addition to any other test it considers
appropriate, the TRC test in determining whether a demand‐side measure is cost‐effective. While
the DSM Regulation is not in effect for the purposes of this Decision, the Commission Panel does
consider the TRC test to be appropriate and adequate for the purposes of this Application and
accepts it as such.