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Interior Transmission System Upgrades

We’re planning work on our natural gas system at a number of locations throughout the interior of British Columbia as part of our Interior Transmission System Upgrades project. Similar to the Coastal Transmission System Upgrades project, this work will further enhance the safety and reliability of the system we use to supply natural gas to more than 195,000 homes and businesses. Much of our work throughout Interior BC will take place at rural locations and will have minimal impact on residents and businesses.

Why we're upgrading these gas lines

Our Interior Transmission System includes more than 700 kilometres of gas lines and facilities that move gas throughout BC’s southern interior to communities in the West Kootenay, Okanagan Valley and South Thompson Valley. These lines have an excellent record for both safety and reliability because of the ongoing maintenance work we conduct.

The work planned as part of the Interior Transmission System Upgrades project will enhance our ability to monitor the condition of our lines by allowing us to use new, advanced inspection tools. We will build on our already robust inspection and maintenance activities, increasing our safety standards so we can continue providing reliable service to customers for decades to come.

Construction overview

Two workers inspect gas lines
In-line inspection tools are already in use to inspect the inside of gas lines at numerous location in our system, including here near Penticton.

We’ll be replacing sections of our gas lines and upgrading facilities to allow us to use new inspection tools in our Interior Transmission System. We expect worksites to range in size from about 2.5 metres to 50 metres long. This work will take place at 16 locations on and near existing FortisBC rights of way and facilities in BC’s interior.

Some work may impact nearby roads and paths. We will work directly with stakeholders, Indigenous groups, and nearby homes and businesses to identify and minimize disruptions.

We filed our regulatory application for this project with the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) in September 2022. If approved, the majority of project construction work will occur in 2025-2026 in preparation for the line inspections that will begin in 2026. 

Construction locations

Interior transmission system upgrades work map

City of Kamloops

Facility work

  • upgrades to our facility off Saskatoon Place

City of Penticton

Facility work

  • upgrades to our facility on Warren Avenue West and Government Street

City of Vernon

Facility work

  • upgrades to our facility along Davidson Road, off Bella Vista Road

Regional District Central Kootenay, Area B

Facility work

  • upgrades to our facility off Highway 95 near Barnhardt Road

Regional District Kootenay Boundary, Area B

Facility work

  • Upgrades to the gas line west of Highway 22, near Riverdale

Regional District Kootenay Boundary Area D

Facility work

  • upgrades to our facility along Como Road

Regional District Okanagan Similkameen, Area H

Gas line work

  • replace two small sections of gas line within the existing right of way just off Highway 5A northwest of Allison lake
  • replace a valve assembly off Highway 5A southeast of Allison Lake

Regional District of Thompson-Nicola, Area J

Gas line work

  • replace gas line across Cherry Creek along the existing FortisBC right of way

Facility work

  • upgrades to our facility along Tunkwa Lake Road

Regional District of Thompson-Nicola, Area N

Facility work

  • upgrades to our facility on Suttie Road, off Coldwater Road

Town of Oliver

Facility work

  • upgrades to our facility on Highway 97, near Gallagher Lake

Town of Princeton

Facility work

  • upgrades to our facility along Highway 5A, near Sunflower Estates Road

Township of Spallumcheen

Facility work

  • upgrades to our two facilities on St. Annes Road

Project timelines and next steps

In September 2022 we filed a project application with our regulator, the BCUC, and are expecting a decision in 2023. If approved, the majority of construction work will take place in 2025-2026 and baseline inspections will start in 2026.

We're in the early planning stages of this project and continuing to engage with local municipalities, Indigenous communities, landowners and local residents. We will continue to provide engagement opportunities throughout the project and can be contacted directly at [email protected].

2021

Engagement began

September 2022

BCUC application filed

We filed our project application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the BCUC. View our application.

2023

BCUC decision expected

2025-2026

Construction

2026+

Gas line inspections complete

September 20, 2022

Project application filed

Today marks a major step forward as we file our project application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC). The Interior Transmission System Upgrades project will update our natural gas system throughout the interior of British Columbia, enhancing existing safety and reliability. 

While preparing to submit our application, we’ve been engaging local municipalities, Indigenous communities, landowners, and local residents to share details on the project and obtain feedback.

If approved, project construction work will occur in 2025-2026 in preparation for the line inspections that will begin in 2026.

September 30, 2021

Engagement underway to support project planning

We’ve started engaging with stakeholders, Indigenous groups and those living and working near the project worksites to gather feedback that will help us prepare our application for the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC). We expect to submit our application to the BCUC in 2022. If approved, the construction will occur in 2024-2026 in preparation for line inspections that will take place 2025-2030.

Before construction takes place, we’ll work with communities, Indigenous groups, stakeholders and municipalities to minimize local disruptions.

If you want to know more, ask questions or provide feedback, call us at 1-888-486-0138 or [email protected].

Our commitment

We believe serving the community is a privilege. That’s why we’re committed to engaging with Indigenous groups, local communities and other stakeholders as we move forward with planning for the Interior Transmission System Upgrades. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

Work is planned for the following communities: 

  • City of Penticton
  • City of Vernon
  • Regional District of Central Kootenay
  • Regional District of Kootenay Boundary
  • Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen
  • Regional District of Thompson-Nicola
  • Town of Oliver
  • Town of Princeton
  • Township of Spallumcheen 

Regulatory process

We filed our application with our regulator, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), on September 20, 2022 and are awaiting a decision.