Series GR-1160 - Public Utilities Commission Engineering Dept. records

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Title proper

Public Utilities Commission Engineering Dept. records

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  • textual record
  • cartographic material

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  • Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the records.

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GR-1160

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Date(s)

  • 1943-1972 (Creation)
    Creator
    British Columbia. Public Utilities Commission

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Physical description

96 cm of textual records

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Name of creator

(1938-1973)

Biographical history

The Public Utilities Commission was established in 1938 by the Public Utilities Act (Statutes of British Columbia, 1938, 2 Geo. 6, chap. 47) to regulate public utilities in the province.

A public utility is defined in the act as a person or company that owns or operates equipment or facilities for the: 1. transportation of persons or property over a railway, street-railway, tramway, or ferry for public or any corporation for compensation; 2. operation of a toll bridge; 3. conveyance or transmission of messages or communications by telephone or telegraph, where such service is offered to the public or any corporation for compensation; 4. production, generation, storage, transmission, sale, delivery, or furnishing of gas, electricity or steam, or any other agency for the production of light, heat, cold or power to or for the public or any corporation for compensation; 5. diverting, developing, pumping, impounding, distributing, or furnishing water to or for the public or any corporation for compensation; 6. transportation of persons or property by motor-vehicles for the public for compensation.

The Public Utilities Commission was a regulatory agency of the provincial government, operating under and administering the Public Utilities Act. It consisted of three members appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council for a period of ten years. Its primary responsibility was the regulation of rates charged, safety and standardization of service, and approval of construction of new facilities. The Commission’s function was quasi-judicial and it had the power to make legally binding rulings.

The Public Utilities Commission was terminated in 1973 when the Public Utilities Act was repealed. The functions of the Commission relating to energy (water, gas, electricity, steam/ light, heat, cold, power) were transferred to the British Columbia Energy Commission established at the same time under the Energy Act (Statutes of British Columbia, 1973, 21-22 Eliz. 2, chap. 29). Responsibility for the functions of the Commission relating to transportation and communications were transferred to the Dept. of Transportation and Communications. Responsibility for the functions of water utilities was transferred to the Comptroller of Water Rights.

Custodial history

Scope and content

This series contains the records of the Engineering Department. Included are correspondence, memoranda, reports, appraisals and investigations of the Chief Engineer and the Investigations Auditor. The records relate to applications for public utilities (water, gas, and electric) and their construction, expansion and operation, including applications for rate revisions, extension of natural gas and electric distribution lines, and improvements in sub-station transmission systems and municipal water supplies. There is a 1943 report on rates and service of the B.C. Electric Railway Company and miscellaneous files on cemeteries. This unit includes records relating to the application of B.C. Hydro and Power Authority, Gulf of Georgia Transmission Co., and others for a natural gas pipeline to Vancouver Island and Powell River, consisting of correspondence, briefs and exhibits presented at the 1972 hearings, and supplementary data.

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Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Transferred from J. Simpson, Professional Engineer, Water Rights Branch, ca. 1974.

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There are no access restrictions.

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General note

Accession number(s): G80-094

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Previously known as AAAA1275

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