British Columbia Utilities Commission
Jessica O'Brien is an experienced professional currently serving as a Regulatory Services Coordinator and Hearing Administrator at the British Columbia Utilities Commission since April 2018. Previous roles include Administrative Assistant and Assistant Recruiter at Hunt Personnel Temporarily Yours from January 2013 to December 2016, as well as a Contributing Writer for Vancouver Weekly during the same period. Jessica O'Brien is pursuing an Editing Certificate in Communication at Simon Fraser University, with anticipated completion in 2024, and holds a BA in International studies with a focus on English Literature and Classical Civilization from the University of Galway, obtained in 2011. Additionally, Jessica O'Brien has pursued studies at Boston College from 2009 to 2010.
British Columbia Utilities Commission
The British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) is an independent regulatory tribunal established by the Provincial Government. As a quasi-judicial tribunal, the BCUC is an independent decision-maker and has the power to make legally binding decisions. The BCUC operates under and administers the Utilities Commission Act. Our primary responsibility is regulating natural gas and electric utilities. We also regulate universal compulsory automobile insurance rates (basic auto insurance) of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and intraprovincial pipelines. In addition, we manage the Customer Choice Program for gas marketer customers and handle customer inquiries about regulated entities. Our mandate is to ensure British Columbians receive safe, reliable and non-discriminatory energy services at fair rates from the entities we regulate and that shareholders of these bodies have a reasonable opportunity to earn a fair return on their investments. As well, the Commission ensures ICBC provides basic auto insurance in a way that is adequate, fair, just and reasonable. The BCUC encourages public participation through a fair, transparent and inclusive process. Public involvement in our proceedings ensures decisions are made in the public interest and take into consideration the relevant views. For more information about the Commission please go to our website at www.bcuc.com