FortisBC files application for reconsideration with the BC Utilities Commission

Application requests amalgamation of three gas utilities and common rates for FortisBC natural gas service areas - excluding Fort Nelson

SURREY, BC, April 29, 2013 /CNW/ - FortisBC has filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to reconsider the BCUC's recent decision that denied FortisBC's request to amalgamate its three gas utilities and adopt common rates throughout FortisBC's gas service areas.

In April 2012, FortisBC filed an application with the BCUC to amalgamate its three gas utilities- FortisBC Energy Inc., FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc., and FortisBC (Whistler) Inc.  The application also proposed common rates for all FortisBC natural gas customers in a given rate class anywhere in the combined service territory.  In February 2013, the BCUC denied the application.

"We believe that this application is important to all of our customers and is in the public interest. We have decided to ask the BCUC to reconsider its recent denial of our original application to establish common rates across our natural gas service territories," said Roger Dall'Antonia, FortisBC vice president strategic planning, corporate development & regulatory affairs.

If the amalgamation proceeds and common rates as proposed are adopted, FortisBC natural gas customers on Vancouver Island and in Whistler will see lower rates while customers on the Lower Mainland will see slightly increased rates.  FortisBC has decided to exclude Fort Nelson from the common rate proposal, and such exclusion is not seen as a barrier to implementing common rates for other FortisBC natural gas service areas.

"As a public utility, our priority is to provide safe, reliable natural gas service at the lowest reasonable cost to our customers," said Dall'Antonia.  "We believe that amalgamating the three gas utilities and adopting common rates is in support of this objective."

FortisBC is a regulated utility focused on providing safe and reliable energy, including natural gas, electricity, propane and thermal energy solutions. FortisBC employs more than 2,200 British Columbians and serves approximately 1.1 million customers in more than 135 B.C. communities. FortisBC is indirectly wholly owned by Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada. FortisBC owns and operates four regulated hydroelectric generating plants, approximately 7,000 kilometres of transmission and distribution power lines, and approximately 47,000 kilometres of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines. FortisBC Inc., FortisBC Energy Inc., FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc., and FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. do business as FortisBC. Fortis Inc. shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: FortisBC

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