Manitoba Hydro Needs For and Alternatives To Review (NFAT) of Manitoba Hydro's Preferred Development Plan
Interveners
Consumers' Association of Canada (Manitoba)
CAC seeks to represent the interests of Manitoba Hydro's residential ratepayers in the NFAT Review. In existence for 66 years, CAC has over 400 members and donors. CAC submitted that it had contact with approximately 14,000 consumers in 2011-12, through education and consumer research. Approximately 6,000 consumers annually participate in CAC information sessions and workshops. CAC also noted that it uses focus groups with Manitoba consumers to inform CAC on specific matters, as well as an Advisory Panel which is formed to bring a range of consumer perspectives to its ongoing activities.
The following issues, identified by CAC in its written application for Intervener Status are considered to be within the scope of the Terms of Reference for the NFAT Review:
- Reliability of Manitoba Hydro's forecast relating to load, capital costs, export revenues, and enhanced transmission capacity;
- Risk Assessments as detailed in CAC's written Application for Intervener Status;
- Analytical consideration of alternatives to Manitoba Hydro's Preferred Development Plan (PDP) including risk diversification, energy efficiency and non-hydroelectric options such as natural gas and wind;
- Sustainability of Manitoba Hydro's PDP and comparison to alternatives;
- Rate impacts on Manitoba Hydro's domestic ratepayers – including those on fixed and low incomes;
- Macro-Environmental Impacts of the PDP and alternatives;
Note: Because of CAC's extensive involvement in environmental reviews before the Clean Environmental Commission (including the Review of the Keeyask Generating Station) the Board expects CAC to clearly appreciate and respect the distinction in the NFAT Terms of Reference between the macro–environmental issues within the NFAT scope, and those environmental issues that are outside the NFAT scope and properly within the consideration of Clean Environment Commission – see section 4.3.0 below.
- Socio-Economic impacts and benefits of Manitoba Hydro's PDP – compared to alternatives – in regards northern and aboriginal communities as well as all Manitobans.
Here are the draft budgets for the approved consultants and expert witnesses on the specific issues identified in the proposals:
- Mr. Harper - $140,800;
- Dr. Simpson - $23,250;
- Mr. Stevens - $6,800;
- Dr. Gotham - $36,792;
- Mr. Dunsky - $47,500 (with a similar further amount included in GAC's budget) – The reductions in funding are to recognize that Manitoba Hydro has recently advised that it will be filing its long awaited DSM Potential Study and the Board does not expect or require Mr. Dunsky to recreate that Study.
- Dr. Gibson - $6,300 plus $2,000 for a student's literature review. The scope is confined to assess whether, and how, Manitoba Hydro's Plan(s) accord with the Province's sustainability framework;
- Dr. Gaudreau - $14,500;
- Dr. Higgin - $16,000;
- Legal fees and disbursements $332,200
Green Action Centre
GAC's Intervener Application states that GAC is a charitable organization governed by an elected community board. GAC's mission is to promote greener and better living by sharing practical solutions and advocating for change. Its mission is carried out through environmental education for homeowners, workplaces, schools, communities and the Province. GAC notes that its primary areas of work are green commuting, composting and water, sustainable living, resource conservation, and energy and climate change policy.
The following issues, identified by GAC in its written Application for Intervener Status are considered to be within the scope of the Terms of Reference of the NFAT Review:
- Forecasts and risks associated with domestic load, export commitments and export pricing;
- Use of Demand Side Management and alternative energy initiatives;
- Marginal costs of Manitoba Hydro's Preferred Development Plan ("PDP") and alternatives including DSM; and
- Alternatives to Manitoba Hydro's PDP together with integration into a diversified portfolio and consideration of such contributions to Risk Management.
Here are the draft budgets for the approved consultants and expert witnesses on the specific issues identified in the proposals:
- Mr. Chernick - $33,010 – only for expert support in reviewing, interpreting and evaluating evidence;
- Mr. Dunsky – $47,500 additional funding, but for the reasons explained in regards to CAC's budget requests;
- Power Advisory - pending Board consideration and adjudication of the detailed scope of work and budget submission to be filed by GAC;
- Legal fees - $115,000;
Manitoba Industrial Power Users Group
MIPUG has 11 members who are among the largest electricity consumers in the Province. Collectively, MIPUG members purchase in excess of 5,000 GWh per year of electricity, which approximates 25% of Manitoba Hydro's domestic sales. MIPUG members have a long track record of operation and investment in Manitoba. MIPUG works on electricity supply and rate issues for its members.
The Board will grant Intervener Status to MIPUG with the following issues the Board finds to be within the scope of the NFAT Review:
- Impact on domestic rates, including long term impacts;
- Risks to domestic customers through Manitoba Hydro's investment in subsidiaries, export ventures and new Programs;
- Alternatives to Manitoba Hydro's Preferred Development Plan including demand side management programs; and
- Risks including long term financial and economic risks and the financial liability of Manitoba Hydro.
Here are the draft budgets for the approved consultants and expert witnesses on the specific issues identified in the proposals:
- Mr. Bowman - $249,000 plus $36,000 for business consultation;
- Public Sector Finance witness – pending Board consideration and adjudication of the detailed scope of work and budget submission to be filed by MIPUG;
- Legal fees - $185,000;
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak
MKO has been in existence for 32 years as a non-profit advocacy organization representing approximately 65,000 Treaty First Nation citizens in Northern Manitoba. MKO is governed by elected Chiefs of the 30 sovereign First Nations in Northern Manitoba. MKO notes that its mission is to maintain, strengthen, enhance, lobby for and defend the interests and rights of First Nation peoples within its jurisdiction and to promote, develop and secure a standard and quality of life deemed desirable and acceptable by its member First Nations.
The following issues, as identified by MKO and its written Application for Intervener Status are within the scope of the Terms of Reference for the NFAT Review:
- The socio-economic impacts and benefits of Manitoba Hydro's Preferred Development Plan (PDP) and alternatives in respect of the MKO First Nations; and
- The impact of domestic electricity rates over time, with and without the PDP and with alternatives.
Here are the draft budgets for the approved consultants and expert witnesses on the specific issues identified in the proposals:
- Mr. Hildebrand, Mr. Chymko and Mr. Turner - $117,000 – only for the two issues (rate impacts and socio-economic impacts) as approved in scope for MKO in Order 67/13;
- Legal Fees – pending Board consideration and adjudication of the detailed scope of work and budget submission to be filed by MKO;
Manitoba Metis Federation
The mandate of the MMF is to promote the social and economic interests of its members and to participate in the consideration of issues that affect its members. The MMF seeks to provide the Metis perspective in examining the needs for and identifying the alternatives to Manitoba Hydro's Preferred Development Plan (PDP).
The Board finds the following issues and topics proposed in MMF's Intervener Application are not within the scope of the NFAT Terms of Reference:
- Evidence on the Metis way of life and the MMF's efforts in advocating for the protection of the rights of the Manitoba Metis Community;
- History of the relations between the Manitoba Metis Community and Manitoba Hydro;
- The work of the MMF Hydro Department and the relationship between MMF and Manitoba Hydro;
- The Metis Traditional Knowledge Way of Life;
- Resource allocation issues; and
- The evidence prepared by MMF for its involvement in the Clean Environment Commission hearings, in which MMF has been accepted as a participant.
Here are the draft budgets for the approved consultants and expert witnesses on the specific issues identified in the proposals:
- Mr. Hendricks - $32,500 - only as to the approved in scope issues for MMF and as those issues are further defined by the PUB in this Order;
- Ms. Stewart - $20,520 - only as to the approved in scope issues for MMF and as those issues are further defined by the PUB in this Order;
- Ms. Birnie - $48,840 - only as to the approved in scope issues for MMF and as those issues are further defined by the PUB in this Order;
- Ms. Larcombe – pending Board consideration and adjudication of the detailed scope of work and budget submission to be filed by MMF;
- Legal counsel - pending Board consideration and adjudication of the detailed scope of work and budget submission to be filed by MMF;