Hydro-Québec Distribution

Hydro-Québec Distribution
Demande R-3492-2002-Phase 2
Consumer Coalition Responses to
Régie Information Requests
1.
Référence :
Preuve de Mark Drazen, pages 20 et 26
Préambule :
Dans ses recommandations sur le balisage du Distributeur en page 26 de sa preuve,
l’auteur affirme ce qui suit :
« HQD has offered, at this point, four benchmarking measures, two based on “cost per kWh”
and two based on “cost per subscriber”. The “cost per kWh” measures are, in our opinion,
not as useful because energy sales as such are not a driver of a distribution system’s cost.
For benchmarking purposes, HQD will have to provide much more detailed information,
including separation of its costs between Distribution and Customer Service (and the
components of each, by asset class and expense class). HQD should provide calculations
of at least the following ratios:
1. Customer Service cost per subscriber;
2. Customer Service operating cost per subscriber;
3. Distribution cost per subscriber;
4. Distribution operating cost per subscriber;
5. Distribution cost per 100 circuit-km;
6. Distribution operating cost per 100 circuit-km;
7. Distribution plant per subscriber;
8. Distribution plant per 100 circuit-km;
9. Distribution employees per 100 circuit-km; and
10. Customer Service employees per subscriber. »
Demandes :
1.1
Par rapport aux ratios 1 et 2 susmentionnés, est-ce que la Régie doit comprendre
que le « Customer Service cost » représente, pour le service à la clientèle, le
coût total composé des charges d’exploitation nettes, du coût du capital, de
l’amortissement et déclassement, ainsi que d’autres composantes (taxes, frais
corporatifs, etc.), alors que le « Customer Service operating cost » représente
seulement les charges d’exploitation nettes pour le service à la clientèle?
Response:
That is correct.
1.2
Veuillez fournir les mêmes précisions qu’à la question précédente pour les ratios
3 et 4 mais, cette fois, pour le service de distribution.
Response:
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Hydro-Québec Distribution
Demande R-3492-2002-Phase 2
Consumer Coalition Responses to
Régie Information Requests
That is correct.
1.3
En ce qui concerne les ratios 7 et 8, est-ce que l’intrant « Distribution plant »
représente le même intrant que l’immobilisation en exploitation nette proposé par
le Distributeur ?
Response:
“Distribution plant” encompasses three types of plant: (1) network plant (lines and
transformers); (2) customer attachment plant (services and meters); and (3) general plant
related to customer service functions, such as data processing equipment. Ideally, these
should be separated. The measure of “distribution plant per 100 circuit-km” is best
measured on a basis that excludes the second and third categories.
1.4
Toujours relativement à l’intrant « Distribution plant », quel lien doit-on établir
avec le « net fixed assets » de la page 20 de la preuve de Mark Drazen ? Est-ce
la même chose ?
Response:
The “net fixed assets” of the Distributor are essentially the same as the net book value of the
distribution plant. The difference would be in any general plant owned or allocated to the
Distributor.
2.
Référence :
Preuve de Mark Drazen, pages 24 et 25
Préambule :
Demande :
2.1
En ce qui a trait aux 7 distributeurs mentionnés, veuillez fournir une brève
description et des explications justifiant dans quelle mesure ces réseaux sont
comparables à celui de Hydro -Québec Distribution.
Response:
Aquila Networks Canada (Alberta) Ltd.
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Hydro-Québec Distribution
Demande R-3492-2002-Phase 2
Consumer Coalition Responses to
Régie Information Requests
ANCA is a “wires only” distribution company, which serves the area of southern Alberta
outside of the major cities (Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Red Deer). ANCA was
originally the distribution division of an integrated utility, TransAlta Utilities (TAU). TAU sold
the distribution operations in August, 2000, to Aquila, a multi-national utility holding
company. Aquila subsequently sold the retailing operations in November, 2000, to another
utility, EPCOR, and therefore remains as only a distributor, not a seller of power. Aquila is
currently in the process of selling ANCA to Fortis, another utility holding company (e.g.,
owner of Newfoundland Po wer).
ATCO Electric
AE is a transmission and distribution company, serving the area of northern Alberta, outside
of the major city (Edmonton). AE separates its costs into distribution and transmission. The
transmission costs are billed to the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO). AEDistribution then purchases transmission service from the AESO. AE was originally part of
Alberta Power Ltd., an integrated utility, owned by the ATCO Group. The generation
properties were subsequently transferred to an other subsidiary. AE remains a member of
the ATCO Group, but does not own any generation property.
Hydro One Networks
HON is a transmission and distribution utility that serves much of the rural portions of
Ontario and large industrial load. HON is a subsidiary of Hydro One, which also owns
subsidiaries serving the City of Brampton and subsidiaries that operate generation and
distribution in remote communities not connected to the main grid. Hydro One was formerly
a part of Ontario Hydro. The generation properties of Ontario Hydro were split off into
Ontario Power Generation and the retailing activities into Ontario Hydro Energy.
DuQuesne Light Company
DuQuesne is a transmission and distribution utility that serves southwestern Pennsylvania,
including the city of Pittsburgh. It was previously an integrated utility, but sold its generation
assets in 2000.
Massachusetts Electric Company
MECo is a distribution company, serving central and western Massachusetts. MECo has
always been a distribution company (with a minimum amount of transmission line
investment). It purchased generation and transmission service from an affiliate, New
England Power Company. The parent company and all affiliates have been acquired by
National Grid USA, which owns other utility properties in the United States.
Metropolitan Edison Company
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Hydro-Québec Distribution
Demande R-3492-2002-Phase 2
Consumer Coalition Responses to
Régie Information Requests
Met Ed is a transmission and distribution utility, primarily serving rural parts of New Jersey.
It is a subsidiary of First Energy Corporation, which owns utility properties in several states in
the U.S. Med Ed was originally an integrated utility, but sold its generation properties.
Orange and Rockland Utilities
ORU is a distribution utility (with a small amount of transmission investment), providing
service in largely suburban areas in southeastern New York and small portions of New
Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania. ORU was originally an integrated utility, but sold its
generation properties. It was subsequently acquired by Consolidated Edison Company of
New York.
See Attachment for a summary of characteristics of the various distributors.
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