UBC

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March 20th, 2013

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

USC UtilitiesOffice of the Director

2040 West MallVancouver, Be

V6T 1Z2

Phone: (604) 822-0852Fax: (604) 822-8833

Paul.holt@ubc.cawww.buildingoperations.ubc.ca

British Columbia Utilities CommissionSixth Floor, 900 Howe Street, Box 250Vancouver, BCV6Z 2N3

Letter of Support

University of British Columbia to the BCUC

Ref: FEI-Reconsideration of G-29-13

This letter is to confirm that the University of British Columbia (UBC) has agreed to purchase

20,000 GJ's of renewable natural gas (RNG) annually from FortisBC with a start date of April 1st,

2013.

UBC supports the overall RNG program and the need to develop further RNG sources to allow

both current and future BC and UBC needs.

UBC is looking at potential options that could maximize the output of its new Bioenergy

cogeneration facility. One option being considered is for an alternate bio Gas e.g. RNG, as a

viable standby fuel source. The expected consumption could be towards ~100,000GJ of RNG

annually. This project, if approved, could potentially go to construction later this year. It is

therefore crucial to UBC that sufficient RNG is available to meet UBC's needs, should this project

be confirmed.

UBC is further exploring several clean energy projects one of which is the potential feasibility of

a larger Combined Heating and Power Facility (CHP). If this facility were approved then UBC

could have a requirement for up to 500,000 GJ's annually of RNG supply from FortisBC to be

supplied by end 2017. The new CHP would complement the new Campus Energy Center (CEC)

(currently in the planning stages). Both the CEC and CHP (if confirmed) will provide thermal

energy to a new District Energy System, part of UBC's steam to hot water conversion project.

E-1

UBC is on the forefront of green initiatives with strong C02 reduction targets of:

33% by 201567% by 2020100% by 2050 from a 2007 baseline

If confirmed RNG would be procured to be combusted to make thermal and electricity that

would satisfy the clean energy requirements as specified under the BCHydro Integrated

Customer Solutions program, thus enabling UBC to offset emission increases due to the increase

in power generation. The volumes of RNG being considered would be sufficient to supply the

current 2MWe BioEnergy Cogeneration Facility and production of 18MWe of base-load power

generation ofthe potential future CHP project.

UBC wishes to work with FortisBC to allow FortisBC to develop the supply contracts necessary to

be in place now in order to serve UBC's potential future demand requirements and submits this

letter of support to aid this initiative. Further, UBC seeks the commitment of FortisBC to work

with UBC in the forming, and activation of, a collaborative research and demonstration network

involving UBC researchers, Fortis and RNG suppliers to develop and demonstrate innovative

RNG focused "harvesting", conditioning and transportation technologies, and to undertake

other activities of applied interest.

UBC does have concern that there will not be enough RNG supply built up or developed to meet

its current or future needs if the commission does not allow FEI to add supply contracts, such as

the four currently being considered in this application.

UBC looks forward to working on this program and demonstrating to the world the advantages

of using a clean bio energy fuel source to meet its future energy needs and reduce its C02

footprint.

Sincerely,

Paul HoltDirector, Utilities and Energy ServicesUBC