2009 September - December

September - December

Extended Windows for New Year's Day

Posted on December 23, 1:06 p.m.

BCTC is pleased to visually clarify the opening of the extended windows [DOC, 52 KB] for purchasing transmission for New Year's Day, Friday, January 1, 2010.

New Short-Term Rate Design Effective January 14, 2010

Posted on December 11, 5:47 p.m.

On November 21, 2008, BCTC submitted an Application to Amend the Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). In this Application, BCTC proposed to change its Short-Term Point-to-Point Rate Design. Specifically, BCTC proposed to discontinue directional pricing, remove the $55 minimum scheduling fee, and eliminate the price differential between Firm and Non-Firm transmission services. Based on analysis, BCTC sought to replace the existing rate design for discounted paths with a Time Of Use (TOU) design where $3/MWh would be charged for Heavy Load Hours (HLH) and $1/MWh would be charged for Light Load Hours (LLH) despite class of transmission service. These rates will be applied to hourly and daily service. In addition, the entire duration of weekly service will now be charged at maximum price whereas currently the first week is charged at a discounted rate with the remaining weeks at maximum price. Monthly and yearly service will be at the tariff rates as per Schedule 01.

On September 10, 2009, BCUC approved BCTC’s proposed TOU rate design via BCUC Order G-102-09 and its accompanying Decision. Therefore, prices for this new design will be effective January 14, 2010. On this day, offer prices for Hourly transmission service will reflect the new HLH and LLH rates while offer prices for Daily transmission service will reflect a total/aggregate amount for the entire day.

Please note that Daily transmission service purchased before January 14, 2010 but which spans past January 14, 2010 will be priced at current rates prior to January 14 and at new rates from January 14 onwards. Weekly transmission service purchased before January 14, 2010 which spans past January 14, 2010 will be priced at current rates.

Please contact Brenda Ambrosi if you have any questions.

BCTC Comments on October 30, 2009 Customer Information Session

Posted on December 11, 2:26 p.m.

On October 30, 2009, BCTC held an Information Session for its customers to discuss the Market Operations and Development Project. The session provided a brief overview of the Project and its objectives to modernize BCTC's market systems. As part of the session, there were various questions posed to customers to which BCTC requested written feedback. Customers sent their feedback and comments via letters on November 12 - 13 2009. BCTC appreciates the comments that were received from TransCanada, Powerex, Capital Power Corporation, and NorthPoint Energy Solutions.

BCTC would like to take the opportunity to clarify and provide further information regarding the topics that were highlighted in the customer letters as well as provide further examples of Matching Window competitions.

Extended Windows for Christmas Day

Posted on December 9, 2:31 p.m.

BCTC is pleased to visually clarify the opening of the extended windows [DOC, 58 KB] for purchasing transmission for Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2009.

Economic Analysis of Network Upgrades for Mica Peaking Unit Integration

Posted on December 9, 12:46 p.m.

BCTC is pleased to post the report entitled Economic Analysis of Network Upgrades for Mica Peaking Unit Integration [PDF, 80 KB].

NITS System Impact Study – Canoe Creek IPP Project

Posted on December 4, 10:24 a.m.

NITS System Impact Study - Canoe Creek IPP Project [PDF, 139 KB] is now complete. Please click on the link to view the report.

TTC De-rate on US-BC Intertie

Posted on November 23, 5:23 p.m.

From February 11-28 inclusive, the US-BC Intertie (import path) may be restricted to 500 MW for system reliability purposes during the Olympic time period. However, TTC will be evaluated on an hourly basis in order to determine the precise TTC value for the next scheduling hour.

Extended Windows for US Thanksgiving

Posted on November 19, 1:57 p.m.

BCTC is pleased to visually clarify the opening of extended windows [DOC, 60 KB] for purchasing transmission for the US Thanksgiving holiday occuring on Thursday, November 26, 2009.

MOD Project Information Session

Posted on November 4, 8:45 a.m.

Further to the MOD Project Customer Information Session, held on Friday October 30th, 2009, BCTC is accepting written comments from customers on the proposed items presented at the session.

The proposed items for feedback can be found in the Information Session Presentation [PDF, 878 KB] highlighted in red font. BCTC has provided, for your convenience, the following page numbers from the presentation as reference points to the proposed items.

Short Term Preemption and Competition

• Slide 17
• Slide 19

Release of Unscheduled Firm

• Slide 24

SuperBlanket and Blanket

• Slide 28

Curtailment Process

• Slide 32
• Slide 38

Please provide your written comments and feedback to Brenda Ambrosi by end of business day on November 12, 2009.

Long Term Rollover and Competing Process

Posted on November 2, 1:26 p.m.

On 2 October 2009, BCPS submitted a 1-year Long Term Firm Point-to-Point TSR# 73459814 for 50MW on BCTC-AESO path with Start Date of 1 January 2010 to rollover existing contract TSR# 72622330. In accordance with Commission Order No.G-03-09 and Letter No.L-95-09 and further to BCTC bulletin dated 20 October 2009, the capacity held under the existing contract TSR# 72622330 had been reduced to 45MW. Consequently, the rollover rights will be limited to 45MW.

BCTC has completed an evaluation of the Long Term Firm Point-to-Point Transmission Requests in the queue and has determined that TEMC TSR# 71657262 is the Competing Request. This request, submitted on 12 October 2007, is requesting 100MW for a 5-year term on the BPAT-AESO path with Start Date of 1 January 2010.

Pursuant to Business Practice Section 16, BCTC will start the Competing Process on 2 November 2009. The following describes the steps that BCTC will take to execute the Competing Process:

1. On 2 November 2009, BCTC will notify BCPS of the Competing Process.
2. On 2 November 2009, BCTC will Counter-offer TEMC (the Competing Request) a Shape Service of 4 years and 7 months from 1 January 2010 to 31 July 2014 conditional on BCPS not exercising its Right of First Refusal. TEMC has to confirm its acceptance of the Counter-offer before 18 November 2009. (See Business Practice Section 16.5. for details)

3. If TEMC does not confirm acceptance of the Counter-offer, BCTC will tender a service agreement to BCPS in response to TSR# 73459814.
4. If TEMC does confirm its acceptance of the Counter-offer, BCTC will notify BCPS (the Rollover Request) on the Business Date following the date of TEMC confirmation and ask BCPS to match on term of 4 years and 7 months pursuant to its Rollover Request # 73459814.

• BCPS will have to submit on OASIS a Pre-Confirmed Rollover Matching Request within three Business Days from the date BCTC sends the notification.
• BCTC will accept the Competing Request or Rollover Matching Request in accordance with Business Practice Section 16.

Firm Sales to Alberta – Customer Consultation #2

Posted on October 29 , 4:10 p.m.

In accordance with Commission Order No. G-103-09 and Letter No. L-95-09 and further to BCTC bulletins dated October 20, October 16 and September 21, 2009, BCTC has concluded its consultation with NorthPoint and British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (the "Affected Customers" as specified by the Commission). With the agreement of the Affected Customers [PDF, 59 KB], BCTC is proceeding to implement Order No. G-103-09 and Letter L-95-09.

Extended Windows for Veterans Day

Posted on October 23 , 9:50 a.m.

BCTC is pleased to visually clarify the opening of extended windows [DOC, 35 KB] for purchasing transmission for Veterans Day occuring on Wednesday, November 11, 2009.

Firm Sales to Alberta – Customer Consultation #1

Posted on October 20 , 4:04 p.m.

In accordance with Commission Order No. G-103-09 and Commission Letter No. L-95-09, BCTC has commenced consultation with affected customers (NorthPoint and British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority). As a result of today's consultation, BCTC and the affected parties have agreed that BCTC will:

1. amend OASIS #72622330 from 50 MW to 45 MW of LTF PTP transmission service, effect midnight October 21, 2009;
2. cancel the remaining 305 MW of LTF PTP transmission service provided in OASIS #72622330, 72622381, 71086993, 71086996, and 71795743, effective midnight October 21, 2009; and
3. hold further consultation with the affected customers with respect to the allocation of any alternative service in lieu of the 305 MW of canceled LTF PTP transmission service and their right to be placed at the top of the existing queue in an order consistent with their pre-existing priority right.

Accordingly, by midnight October 21, 2009, the LTF PTP transmission service on the BC>AB path will be reduced to 480 MW.

Firm Sales to Alberta – Update

Posted on October 16 , 2:23 p.m.

Further to BCUC Letter No. L-95-09, BCTC will be consulting with affected customers (NorthPoint and British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority) on aspects of this directive as set out therein.

BCUC Decision on Firm Sales on the Alberta Intertie

Posted on September 21, 5:02 p.m.

Consistent with the Implementation Schedule in Appendix C of BCTC's Application to Amend the Open Access Transmission Tariff, which was approved by the BCUC via Order G-102-09, BCTC expects to implement the 480 MW limit on the BC>AB path within one month of the BCUC's Order, which was dated September 10, 2009. In a letter sent to the BCUC and copied to registered intervenors on September 17, 2009, BCTC sought clarification of the BCUC’s intentions with respect to implementation of BCUC Order G-103-09 regarding the TCE Complaint. Following a response from the BCUC to the letter, BCTC will consult with affected customers as soon as practicable on the implementation of the 480 MW limit. BCTC considers all Service Agreements including those granted above the 480 MW limit to remain in force until BCTC is able to implement BCUC Order G-103-09.