The British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) is an independent agency of the government of the
Province
A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman '' provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...
of
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
responsible for regulating rates and standards of service quality. The Commission's primary responsibility is the regulation of British Columbia's natural gas and electricity utilities.
They also regulate intra-provincial pipelines and the
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), a
crown corporation responsible for insuring vehicles and operators in the province.
Apart from rates and services, the BCUC is also responsible for ensuring that
shareholders of utilities are afforded a reasonable opportunity to earn a fair return on their invested
capital, that competitive interests are not frustrated, and that government energy policy is practically implemented. In addition, it approves the development of
infrastructure planned by utilities and their issuance of
securities
A security is a tradable financial asset. The term commonly refers to any form of financial instrument, but its legal definition varies by jurisdiction. In some countries and languages people commonly use the term "security" to refer to any for ...
, establishes tolls and conditions of service for intraprovincial oil
pipelines, and has responsibility for
electric power transmission facilities and
energy
In physics, energy (from Ancient Greek: ἐνέργεια, ''enérgeia'', “activity”) is the quantitative property that is transferred to a body or to a physical system, recognizable in the performance of work and in the form of hea ...
supply
contract
A contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties that creates, defines, and governs mutual rights and obligations between them. A contract typically involves the transfer of goods, services, money, or a promise to tr ...
s. The BCUC also reviews energy-related matters referred to it by
Cabinet, which usually involve public hearings, followed by a report and recommendations to Cabinet.
With respect to ICBC, the Commission is responsible for ensuring that service to basic
automobile insurance
Vehicle insurance (also known as car insurance, motor insurance, or auto insurance) is insurance for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other road vehicles. Its primary use is to provide financial protection against physical damage or bodily injur ...
policyholders is adequate, efficient, just and reasonable, and that ICBC optional insurance is not subsidized by other ICBC operations.
The BCUC has quasi-judicial responsibilities, and may make legally binding rulings (subject to court appeal). It is governed by its enabling statute, the ''Utilities Commission Act'', other legislation and regulations including the ''Administrative Tribunals Act, Pipeline Act'', and — with respect to ICBC — provisions of the ''Insurance Corporation Act''.
The BCUC works to maintain processes that are fair, transparent and inclusive. The BCUC values input from British Columbians, and is committed to issuing well-reasoned, evidence-based decisions.
In addition to its regulatory responsibilities, the Commission provides the following services and assistance:
* reviews ratepayers' complaints about the actions of utilities;
* provides copies of documentation prepared by the Commission;
* provides access to regulated utilities'
tariff
A tariff is a tax imposed by the government of a country or by a supranational union on imports or exports of goods. Besides being a source of revenue for the government, import duties can also be a form of regulation of foreign trade and pol ...
s and information filed in public hearings;
* responds to requests for general information regarding utilities.
The Commission has been self-funded since 1988. Its annual budget ranges from $4.6 to $4.7 million, with its costs recovered primarily through a levy on the energy utilities and pipelines companies that it regulates.
The BCUC describes its mission as follows:
''The BCUC's mission is to ensure that ratepayers receive safe, reliable and non-discriminatory energy services at fair rates from the utilities it regulates, and that shareholders of those utilities are afforded a reasonable opportunity to earn a fair return on their invested capital.''
References
{{Reflist
External links
BCUC website
British Columbia government departments and agencies