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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180126Avista to Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C.PDF    REVIEW OF ALLOCATION OF  COMMON CORPORATE COSTS  (DISTRIBUTION) – 2016  BLACK & VEATCH PROJECT NO. 188588    PREPARED FOR  Hydro One Networks Inc.  December 21, 2016   ® ® ©B l a c k  & Ve a t c h  Ho l d i n g  Co m p a n y  20 1 6 .  Al l  rig h t s  re s e r v e d .   Filed: 2017-03-31 EB-2017-0049 Exhibit C1-4-1 Attachment 1 Page 1 of 28 Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 1 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH  1 Table of Contents  Table of Contents ........................................................................................................ 1  I. Summary ............................................................................................................... 2  A. Background................................................................................................................... 2  B. Hydro One Organization ......................................................................................... 3  C. Functions And Services In Common Corporate Costs ................................. 3  D. Black & Veatch’s Assignment ................................................................................ 4  E. Overview Of Methodology ...................................................................................... 5  F. Scope Of Work ............................................................................................................. 6  G. Conclusions And Results ......................................................................................... 6  II. Statement of Approach .................................................................................... 8  A. Evaluate Cost Allocation Methodology ............................................................. 8  B. Review Application Of Cost Allocation Methodology .................................. 8  C. Principles Of Cost allocation .................................................................................. 9  D. Cost Drivers .................................................................................................................. 9  E. Types of Cost Drivers ............................................................................................... 9  III. Evaluate Cost Allocation Methodology ................................................ 10  IV. Review Application of Methodology to BP 2018‐2022 .................. 11  V. 2015 Time Study .............................................................................................. 15  List of Tables  Table 1 ‐ History of Black & Veatch’s Cost Allocation Reviews for Hydro One ... 2  Table 2 – Hydro One Business Units ..................................................................................... 3  Table 3 ‐ Functions and Services in Common Corporate Costs ................................. 4  Table 4 ‐ Distribution of Annual Common Corporate Costs ....................................... 7  Table 5 ‐ Direct Assignments and Cost Drivers for Common Corporate Costs . 13  List of Exhibits  Exhibit A‐ Functions and Services in Common Corporate Costs  Exhibit B‐ Types of Cost Drivers    Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 2 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Summary  2 I. Summary  A. BACKGROUND  Black & Veatch Canada Company (“Black & Veatch”) is pleased to submit to Hydro One Networks Inc. (“Hydro One”) this Report which describes our Review of Allocation of Common Corporate Costs (Distribution)‐ 2016 (“2016 Review”). In 2004, Black & Veatch was engaged by Hydro One to recommend a best practice methodology to distribute Common Corporate Costs to Hydro One and its subsidiaries and partnership (identified in Table 2). Common Corporate Costs are the costs to provide certain functions and services (identified in Table 3), including those performed by Inergi LP, to Hydro One and its subsidiaries and partnership. Black & Veatch recommended, Hydro One adopted, and the Ontario Energy Board (“OEB”) accepted, a methodology to distribute those costs, as described in our Report on Common Corporate Costs Methodology Review dated May 20, 2005 (“2005 Common Costs Report”). The OEB‐accepted methodology has been applied to Hydro One’s Business Plans, and reviewed by Black & Veatch with subsequent reports issued, as follows: Table 1 ‐ History of Black & Veatch’s Cost Allocation Reviews for Hydro One  BLACK & VEATCH  REVIEW  BUSINESS  PLAN    BLACK & VEATCH REPORT  2006 Review BP 2007‐ 2011  Report on Implementation of Common Corporate Costs Methodology dated May 31, 2006  2008 Review BP 2009‐ 2013  Report on Implementation of Common Corporate Costs Methodology dated September 10, 2008  2009 Review BP 2010‐ 2014  Report on Shared Services Costs Methodology dated June 29, 2009 2010 Review Updated BP   2010‐2014  Report on Shared Services Costs Methodology –2011 dated February 26,  2010  2012 Review BP 2012‐ 2016  Review of Shared Services Cost Allocation (Transmission) – 2012 dated  February 1, 2012  2013 Review BP 2014‐ 2019  Review of Allocation of Common Corporate Costs (Distribution  –2013 dated September 19, 2013  2014 Review BP 2014‐ 2019  Review of Allocation of Common Corporate Costs (Transmission) –2014 dated March 17, 2014    2015 Review BP‐2017‐ 2018  Review of Allocation of Common Corporate Costs (Transmission) –2015  dated May 4, 2016    The OEB‐accepted methodology to distribute the Common Corporate Costs has been applied by Hydro One to its Business Plan for 2018‐2022(“BP 2018‐2022”) data. This Report describes the “2016 Review” that Black & Veatch performed, at Hydro One’s request, of Hydro One’s application of the methodology to its BP 2018‐2022 in connection with its 2018‐2022 Distribution rates application, and presents Black & Veatch’s conclusions. The methodology remains the same Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 3 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Summary  3 between the Transmission case filed in May 2016 with this Distribution case; albeit the results vary slightly due to the regular updating of inputs and costs drivers that incorporate current information. B. HYDRO ONE ORGANIZATION  Hydro One Inc. operates through the wholly‐owned subsidiaries and partnership listed in Table 2. The OEB regulates, separately, the business units identified as such in Table 2. Each regulated business is required to account separately for its assets, revenues and costs, for both regulatory and financial accounting purposes. Table 2 – Hydro One Business Units  SUBSIDIARY BUSINESS  UNIT REGULATED DESCRIPTION  Hydro One  Networks Inc.  Distribution Yes  Owns and operates a distribution system which spans  approximately 75% of Ontario and serves approximately  1.3 million customers.  Transmission Yes Owns and operates substantially all of Ontario’s  electricity transmission system.  Hydro One  Remote  Communities Inc  Remotes Yes  Owns, operates, maintains and constructs generation and  distribution assets used to supply of electricity to remote  communities in northern Ontario.  Hydro One  Telecom Inc. Telecom No  Sells high bandwidth telecommunication services to  carriers, Internet service providers, and large public and  private sector organizations.  Hydro One Inc. Holding Yes Subsidiary of Hydro One Ltd.  Acts as the holding  company of Hydro One’s rate regulated businesses.  Hydro One Ltd. Holding No  Public company that owns Hydro One Inc. for the  transmission and distribution rate regulated businesses  and Hydro One Telecom Inc. for non‐regulated business  activity.  Hydro One Ltd. is owned by public shareholders  as well as the Province of Ontario.   B2M Limited  Partnership  B2M  Transmission  Line  Yes  Continuous transmission line between the Bruce Nuclear  Power Development and Hydro One’s Milton Switching  station.       C. FUNCTIONS AND SERVICES IN COMMON CORPORATE COSTS  Hydro One provides the functions and services identified in Table 3, to the businesses identified in Table 2. Exhibit A further describes the functions and services provided. The BP 2018‐2022 includes 2018 Common Corporate Costs totaling approximately $312 million incurred to perform the relevant functions and services; and the annual total Common Corporate Costs are presented in Table 4. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 4 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Summary  4 Approximately 3.72% of the Common Corporate Costs are incurred under an outsourcing arrangement with Inergi LP (“Inergi”). Common Corporate Costs includes the cost included in BP 2018‐2022 for sustainment activities outsourced to Inergi services pertaining to finance, accounts payable, and human resources, and pay services. Table 3 ‐ Functions and Services in Common Corporate Costs  Hydro One Inc. Corporate Office   President/CEO Office   Chair   CFO’s Office   Treasurer's Office   Board of Directors   Corporate Secretary ‐ General Counsel   Pension Cost   Donations   Ombudsman Office   Investor Relations   EVP Strategy Office  Shared Services and Finance  Real Estate   Value Growth  Treasury   Corporate Controller   Taxation   Regulatory Affairs   Business Planning & Decision Support   Outsourcing Services    Operations   Distribution Asset Management (Note 1)   Planning and Optimization (Note 1)   Reliability, Strategies, and Compliance (Note 1)   System Planning (Note 1)   Network Connections and Development (Note 1)   Network Operations (Note 1)   Transmission Asset Management (Note 1)   VP Planning (Note 1)   EVP Office – Operations (Note 1)   Strategic Services   Key Account Management (Note 1)  Customer and Corporate Relations   Customer Care Services (Note 1)   Customer Strategy and Conservation (Note 1)   Customer Program Delivery (Note 1)   VP Customer Service (Note 1)  Meter to Bill (Note 1)   Corporate Affairs   First Nations and Métis Relations  Bad Debt and Goodwill  SVP Customer and Corporate Relations Information Services   Corporate Projects   Information Technology   Security Operations  Inergi LP (outsourced services)   Finance   Human Resources ‐ Pay Services   Accounts Payable  People and Culture General Counsel & Secretariat  Audit VP Chief Risk Officer Note 1‐ Department participated in 2015 Time Study; see Section V.  D. BLACK & VEATCH’S ASSIGNMENT  For the 2016 Review, our assignment was to: a. Evaluate whether the existing Common Corporate Cost Allocation Methodology continues to be appropriate for Hydro One, and identify changes that are necessary or desirable. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 5 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Summary  5 b. Review Hydro One’s application of the OEB‐accepted Common Corporate Cost Allocation Methodology to the BP 2018‐2022, in connection with its 2018‐2022 Distribution rates application. The organization presented in Table 3 reflects the creation of new departments, realignment of departments among groups, and realignment of functions among departments, that Hydro One believes will allow it to serve its customers most effectively and efficiently, based on the current business and regulatory environment. The Common Corporate Costs Model for BP 2018‐2022 reflects these organizational changes. Black & Veatch reviewed the cost driver for each activity to determine its continued applicability, and where necessary, the development of the cost driver was updated to reflect the organizational changes. Concurrently with this 2016 Review, Black & Veatch reviewed and issued reports on Hydro One’s Overhead Capitalization Rate methodology, Common Assets allocation and Allocation of Common Corporate Costs to the Bruce‐to‐Milton (B2M) Limited Partnership. E. OVERVIEW OF METHODOLOGY  The Black & Veatch methodology for allocating the costs of Hydro One’s Common Corporate Costs was designed to address the following considerations:  Compliance with OEB precedent including Docket RP‐2002‐0133 (In The Matter Of The Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998)  Compliance with relevant provisions of the Affiliate Relationships Code for Electricity Distributors and Transmitters (“Code”)  Cost incurrence‐ Are the costs needed to perform services required by the business units?  Cost allocation‐ Are costs appropriately allocated among business units, based on the application of cost drivers /allocation factors supported by principles of causality?  Cost/benefit‐ Do benefits received equal or exceed the cost? An overview of the Black & Veatch cost allocation methodology is described below:  Identify the functions and services included in Common Corporate Costs.  Identify activities that are performed to provide those functions and services.  Based on time and/or cost studies, distribute the annual departmental costs in the BP 2018‐2022 among the activities performed by that department in providing the functions and services.  Distribute the cost of each activity among the business units based on direct assignment when possible, and based on cost drivers when direct assignment is not possible. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 6 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Summary  6  The guiding principle used by the Black & Veatch methodology to assign cost drivers is cost causation. A cost driver is a formula for sharing the cost of an activity among those who cause the cost to be incurred. Cost drivers are discussed in Section D. The different types of cost drivers are described in Exhibit B. F. SCOPE OF WORK  Consistent with Black & Veatch’s standard practice for consulting assignments, we relied on the genuineness and completeness of all documents presented to us by Hydro One, and we accepted factual statements made to us by Hydro One (e.g., headcount, budgeted amounts) subject only to their overall reasonableness and factual accuracy, but without our independent confirmation. All dollar amounts in this Report are stated in Canadian dollars. G. CONCLUSIONS AND RESULTS  Black & Veatch believes that Hydro One’s current cost allocation methodology continues to be appropriate for Hydro One because it achieves the purposes for which it was designed (to distribute costs in a manner that is consistent with OEB precedent and regulatory practice) and promotes transparency and efficiency. Based on our review, Black & Veatch concludes that the results of Hydro One’s application of the Black & Veatch Common Corporate Cost Allocation Methodology to its BP 2018‐2022 data reflects a cost causation‐based distribution of the Common Corporate Costs and conforms to the OEB‐ accepted methodology. The annual results for years 2018‐2022 are shown in Table 4. Black & Veatch also notes that Hydro One management believes that the existing methodology is appropriate for the company, the cost allocation process receives strong support from Hydro One management and is well integrated into the budgeting process and the Common Corporate Costs Model is updated periodically to reflect current information. Table 4 presents the results of Hydro One’s distribution of the Common Corporate Costs in BP 2018‐2022, annually for 2018‐2022, among its Distribution, Transmission and Other businesses. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 7 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Summary  7 Table 4 ‐ Distribution of Annual Common Corporate Costs        Business 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 ($ Millions)$$$$$ Transmission  $                         153   $                  153   $                  153   $                  155   $                  158  Distribution  $                         143   $                  141   $                  142   $                  143   $                  145  Other  $                           16   $                    16   $                     16   $                     17   $                    17  Total  $                         312   $                  310   $                  312   $                  315   $                  320  (% of Total) %   %   %   %   %  Transmission 49% 49% 49% 49% 49% Distribution 46% 46% 46% 45% 45% Other 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 8 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Statement of Approach  8 II. Statement of Approach  This section presents the approaches used by Black & Veatch to evaluate whether the existing Common Corporate Cost Allocation Methodology continues to be appropriate for Hydro One, and to review Hydro One’s application of the methodology to the BP 2018‐2022 costs of providing the functions and services included in Common Corporate Costs. A. EVALUATE COST ALLOCATION METHODOLOGY  The Common Corporate Cost Allocation Methodology was first applied to Hydro One’s Business Plan 2018‐2022. Hydro One requested that Black & Veatch evaluate whether the methodology is still appropriate, and what changes, if any, could be considered. Black & Veatch’s approach is discussed in detail in Section III. B. REVIEW APPLICATION OF COST ALLOCATION METHODOLOGY  In preparing the 2016 Review, Black & Veatch performed the following tasks: Task 1. Reviewed Hydro One’s current organizational structure and identified departments that perform the functions and services included in Common Corporate Costs. Task 2. Identified the activities performed by each department in order to provide the functions and services identified in Task 1. Task 3. Determined the Common Corporate Costs in BP 2018‐2022 to perform the functions and services in Task 1. Task 4. Identified the business units that use the functions and services included in Common Corporate Costs. Task 5. Distributed Common Corporate Costs (time for labour resources and cost for non‐labour and Inergi resources) reflected in BP 2018‐2022 for departments identified in Task 1, among the activities identified in Task 2. Task 6. Directly assigned activity costs to business units where a direct relationship exists. Task 7. For activities where less than all of the BP 2018‐2022 costs were directly assigned to business units in Task 6, assigned a cost driver that reflects cost causation. Task 8. Populated the cost drivers. Task 9. Reviewed the 2015 Time Study. Task 10. Computed total Common Corporate Costs allocated to each business unit. Task 11. Performed analytical review of results. Task 12. Reviewed the Common Corporate Costs used to perform the computations. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 9 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Statement of Approach  9 C. PRINCIPLES OF COST ALLOCATION  There are two methods to allocate or distribute shared costs among a utility’s business units – Direct Assignment and Allocation. Direct Assignment is used when it can be reasonably determined that all or a portion of an activity is performed for a particular business unit. Direct Assignment is completed through the use of time studies or time surveys; where participants either fill out a daily time sheet or provide an indication of how their time is spent throughout the year. Approximately 70% of Common Corporate Cost in the BP 2018‐2022 was assigned directly to one or more of Hydro One’s business units. Allocation is used when more than one business unit uses an activity, but the portions of the activity that each uses cannot be directly established through a time study or time survey. In this case, a cost driver must be assigned to distribute the costs of the activity. A cost driver is a formula for sharing the cost of an activity among those entities that cause the cost to be incurred. The principles used by Black & Veatch to assign cost drivers are discussed in Section II.D below. D. COST DRIVERS  As stated above, a cost driver is a formula for sharing the cost of an activity among those entities that cause the cost to be incurred. The guiding principle that Black & Veatch uses in assigning cost drivers is cost causation. Cost causation means that there is a causal relationship between the cost driver and the costs incurred in performing the activity. In some cases, cost causation cannot be easily implemented or established, in which case selecting cost drivers based on benefits received is a fair alternative treatment. Other factors considered in assigning cost drivers include:  Practicality – The cost driver should be understandable, obtainable at reasonable cost, and objectively verifiable in the initial year as well as in subsequent years.  Stability – Cost driver values should be reasonably stable from year to year. When estimates are used, the cost driver should be able to be estimated with reasonable accuracy, and estimates should be unbiased.  Materiality – When choosing between cost drivers, small differences can often be ignored in favor of Practicality and Stability (see above). E. TYPES OF COST DRIVERS  Cost drivers can be classified as External or Internal. External drivers are based on data that are external to the cost allocation process, such as physical units or financial amounts. Internal drivers are based on values computed as an integral part of the cost allocation process. For example, the cost of a supervisor’s salary might be allocated in the same proportion as the salaries of the people being supervised, and the cost of general departmental expenses might be allocated in the same proportion as the specifically assigned departmental activities. Exhibit B further describes the different types of cost drivers. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 10 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Evaluate Cost Allocation Methodology  10 III. Evaluate Cost Allocation Methodology  The Common Corporate Cost Allocation Methodology was first applied to Hydro One’s BP 2006‐10. Black & Veatch has also reviewed the application of the methodology to subsequent business plans, as listed in Section I.A. The purpose of this portion of the 2016 Review was to evaluate if the methodology is still appropriate, including reviewing changes that were recommended in the past. Based on our discussions with Hydro One personnel and review of the Common Corporate Costs Model, Black & Veatch determined that the cost allocation methodology continues to be appropriate for Hydro One because:  It meets best practices since it distributes costs based on cost causation, including the use of direct assignment when possible, and then through the use of cost drivers.  It has been accepted by the OEB.  It has the support of Hydro One management, and is understood and accepted by the Hydro One business units.  It allows the business units to determine precisely what amounts they are charged by department and by activity within the department; this transparency provides a basis for understanding the nature of the charges and value of the services received.  It is well‐integrated with Hydro One’s annual Business Planning process and produces reasonably stable results over time.  It accommodates changes in Hydro One’s organization, and the Common Corporate Costs Model can be adapted easily to reflect those changes. Black & Veatch believes that the current cost allocation methodology continues to be appropriate for Hydro One, because it achieves the purposes for which it was designed (to distribute costs in a manner that is consistent with OEB precedent and regulatory practice), and promotes transparency and efficiency. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 11 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Review Application of Methodology to BP 2018‐2022  11 IV. Review Application of Methodology to BP 2018‐2022  In this Section we will discuss each of the Tasks performed in the Scope of Work, as stated in Section B. This includes the purpose of the Task, the steps performed, the source of the information, and the results. Task 1. Reviewed Hydro One’s current organizational structure and identified departments  that perform the functions and services included in Common Corporate Costs.  The purpose of this Review was to evaluate the allocation of the Common Corporate Costs among the businesses that use the functions and services. The organization of Hydro One Inc. is described in Section I.B. The functions and services support the Distribution business and the Transmission business, and the other businesses listed in Table 2. The departments that perform the functions and services in Common Corporate Costs are listed in Table 3. Exhibit A further describes the functions and services. This information was provided by Hydro One in discussions and documents. Task 2. Identified the activities performed by each department in order to provide the  functions and services identified in Task 1.  The purpose of this task was to identify the activities that are performed in order to provide each of the functions and services. Functions and services (identified in Task 1) are performed for the benefit of the business units. Activities (discussed in this Task 2) are the tasks performed in order to provide the functions and services. Activities are measured in the amount of resources used. To distribute the resources required to provide the functions and services included in Common Corporate Costs among the business units on the basis of cost causation, the activities performed were identified and described by Hydro One to Black and Veatch. Task 3. Determined the Common Corporate Costs in BP 2018‐2022 to perform the functions  and services in Task 1.  In this task, we obtained the BP 2018‐2022 costs for the departments that provide the functions and services included in Common Corporate Costs. Hydro One provided to Black & Veatch the labour and non‐labour portions of the BP 2018‐2022 for each of these departments, as well as descriptions of major non‐labour cost items. Task 4. Identified the business units that use the functions and services included in Common  Corporate Costs.  The business units that use the functions and services included in Common Corporate Costs are listed in Table 2. The information was provided by Hydro One and confirmed by the service recipients. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 12 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Review Application of Methodology to BP 2018‐2022  12 Task 5. Distributed Common Corporate Costs (time for labour resources and cost for non‐ labour and Inergi resources) reflected in BP 2018‐2022 for departments identified in  Task 1, among the activities identified in Task 2.  The purpose of this task was to distribute the resources (time for labour and costs for non‐labour and Inergi) required for each of the functions and services identified in Task 1, among the activities identified in Task 2. In subsequent tasks, the cost of each activity was either directly assigned to one or more business units or allocated using cost drivers. Labour costs  To distribute budgeted labour costs, Hydro One department managers determined the portion of annual time spent by the personnel under their supervision on each of the activities identified in Task 2. Some managers based their estimates on concurrent time records that they maintain, some conducted interviews with their personnel, and some used their informed judgment. Some of the holding company’s labour cost was allocated consistent with previous rate filings. The information provided by the managers was reviewed by Hydro One and Black & Veatch and was found to be reasonable and consistent with prior distributions of resources. Non‐labour costs  Budgeted non‐labour costs items were examined and distributed based on direct assignment or allocation; this amount includes non‐labour costs of departments in the 2015 Time Study. This included OEB invoices, communications programs, insurance costs and claims, human resources programs, labour relations programs, actuarial consultants and audit fee. The balance of non‐ labour costs includes items such as training and development, non‐specific expenses and general expenses. Inergi costs  The Common Corporate Costs representing functions and services provided by Inergi were distributed among the activities, based on information provided by Hydro One, assignments and allocations by Hydro One and Black & Veatch, and the application of judgment by Hydro One and Black & Veatch. The approach for each of the functions and services provided by Inergi is described below. Exhibit A describes these services in greater detail.  Finance – Costs were assigned among activities based on estimated portion of total amount paid to Inergi to perform the function. Activities were allocated among the business units based on chosen cost drivers that relate to each activity (e.g., Fixed Asset Accounting activity was allocated on Gross Utility Plant).  Human Resources – Costs were assigned among activities based on estimated effort by Inergi. All activities were allocated among the business units based on headcount. Task 6. Directly assigned activity costs to business units  The purpose of this task was to assign, among the business units listed in Task 4, the resources (time for labour resources and costs for non‐labour and Inergi resources) for each activity listed in Task 2. This task was performed concurrently with Task 5 – Distributed Common Corporate Costs (time for labour resources and cost for non‐labour and Inergi resources) reflected in BP 2018‐2022 for departments identified in Task 1, among the activities identified in Task 2. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 13 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Review Application of Methodology to BP 2018‐2022  13 For the activities listed in Task 2, Hydro One’s departmental managers distributed the resource costs among one or more business units, based on the business units that caused the costs to be incurred. When possible, all or a portion of costs were assigned to a specific business unit. Task 7. Any portion of an activity that was not assigned to a specific business unit due to its  generalized nature was allocated among business units using cost drivers, as  described in Task 7. Assigned cost drivers  As discussed above, the costs of activities were directly assigned to business units when possible. The purpose of this task was to select cost drivers for the portion of costs which were not directly assigned in Task 6. The principles that Black & Veatch used to assign cost drivers are discussed in Section II.D‐ Cost Drivers. Black & Veatch selected cost drivers based on applying the principles discussed above, its experience in performing cost allocation studies, consultations with Hydro One as to the nature of each activity, and industry practices and regulatory requirements. Section II.E Types of Cost Drivers describes the types of cost drivers. Table 5 summarizes the direct assignments and types of costs drivers used to distribute the Common Corporate Costs among the business units. Amounts include the Inergi charges. Table 5 ‐ Direct Assignments and Cost Drivers for Common Corporate Costs  Task 8. Populated cost drivers  The purpose of this task was to determine the values of each cost driver that are attributable to each business unit in order to distribute the costs of each activity among the business units. The supporting information was provided by Hydro One. Task 9. Reviewed 2015 Time Study  This Task is discussed in Section V. Task 10. Computed total common corporate costs for each business unit  The purpose of this task was to distribute the total cost of each activity among the business units. The amount distributed was the sum of the amounts directly assigned in Task 6, and allocations based on the cost drivers identified in Task 7. For allocations based on the cost drivers, the amount allocated to each business unit was computed by multiplying the activity cost to be allocated by the cost driver value for the business unit. TYPE 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 (% of Total)%%%%% Direct Assignment 58.56% 57.79% 57.76% 57.63% 58.54% Physical 13.03% 13.27% 13.52% 13.57% 13.75% Financial 20.76% 21.10% 21.39% 21.52% 21.83% Internal 7.65% 7.84% 7.33% 7.29% 7.33% Total 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 101.44% Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 14 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Review Application of Methodology to BP 2018‐2022  14 Task 11. Performed analytical review  The purpose of this task was to compare the results of the distribution of the BP 2018‐2022 Common Corporate Costs among the business units to the results in the previous 2014 Review, and to understand the differences. The proportions of the total cost distributed to each business unit have been reasonably similar over time and differences are explained by additions and removal of departments from the Common Corporate Costs (i.e., the 2016 Review included Bad Debt and Goodwill which is 100% Distribution, for the first time), changes in allocations of time, changes in allocator values and changes in departmental functions and activities. Task 12. Reviewed Common Corporate Costs Model  The purpose of this task was to review the Common Corporate Costs Model that Hydro One has developed for allocating the Common Corporate Costs, to determine if it properly reflects and models the OEB‐approved cost allocation methodology for those costs included in the BP 2018‐ 2022. Black & Veatch first reviewed Common Corporate Costs Model in connection with our 2008 Review, and has reviewed the model for each of the subsequent reviews performed, including this 2016 Review. The model is updated periodically to reflect organizational changes; Business Plan costs; additions to and deletions of departmental activities; time and cost distributions among activities; assignments of allocators; and cost driver values. The Common Corporate Costs distributes departmental costs among activities (Task 6) and then distributes the cost of each activity based on direct assignments or cost drivers (Task 10). Based on Black & Veatch’s review, the Common Corporate Costs properly implements the OEB‐ accepted methodology for distributing the costs of corporate functions and services in the BP 2018‐ 2022, and continues to produce a cause‐based allocation of costs. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 15 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | 2015 Time Study  15 V. 2015 Time Study  Hydro One employees representing approximately $105 million of annual labour costs participated in a time study for the four‐week period ending June 12, 2015 ( “2015 Time Study”). The departments that participated in the 2015 Time Study are identified in Table 3 (designated by Note 1 next to the department name). The responsibilities of these departments are included in Exhibit A. The personnel in these departments are able to determine with reasonable accuracy, on a current basis, the time they spend on Distribution Operations and Maintenance, Distribution Capital Projects, Transmission Operations and Maintenance and Transmission Capital Projects because the programs and projects on which they work are clearly defined. A properly performed time study measures cost causation and is widely accepted as a basis for assigning costs. Hydro One personnel administered the 2015 Time Study using the same design and communication material designed by Black & Veatch and utilized in the time study that occurred in 2013. Black & Veatch’s responsibilities included reviewing time study results and the consolidation of the results, and confirming the completeness of the time study and its consistency with the study design. The methodology was the same as used in prior time studies conducted by Black & Veatch for Hydro One. It was not practical to perform a full‐year study, but we believe the results for a four‐week period are representative of the full‐year. To support this judgment, Black & Veatch reviewed the previous Hydro One time studies, which were completed at different times during the year, and found that the results were reasonably similar to the 2015 Time Study results. Black & Veatch found that the 2015 Time Study was appropriately designed and completed, the results were correctly compiled, and the methodology was the same as for prior Hydro One time studies performed in connection with Black & Veatch’s previous cost allocation reviews. Therefore, Black & Veatch concluded that the 2015 Time Study results were a proper basis for assigning the costs of the departments included in the study between Hydro One’s Distribution and Transmission business units. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 16 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Exhibit A  A‐1 Exhibit A: Functions and Services in Common Corporate Costs  FUNCTIONS AND SERVICES DESCRIPTION  Hydro One Inc. Corporate Office (HOI)  President / CEO Office  Leadership of the staff of the Corporation to ensure that their culture  and behaviours lead to achievement of its strategic objectives.  Develop  and update strategy and establishes performance targets to assess  progress towards the goals and objectives defined by the strategy.  Chair Strategic direction, implementation and results for Hydro One Inc. and  for each subsidiary.  CFO’s Office  Provide Hydro One and subsidiaries with strategic review and approval  for all financial and investment decisions.  Review policies and  procedures, treasury operations and tax planning, financial control and  reporting.  Treasurer’s Office Debt and equity issuance, capital structure management and oversight  of Finance‐ Treasury function.  Board of Directors Strategic direction, implementation and results for Hydro One Inc. and  for each subsidiary.  Corporate Secretary  Provide direction and analysis in areas of: Board and Committee(s);  Office of Chair and Board members; Code of Business Conduct;  Community Citizenship; Freedom of Information and Privacy, Corporate  Archives, Corporate Records, Corporate Secretariat.  General Counsel Oversee and support Law, Regulatory and Corporate Secretariat General  Counsel functions.  Pension Cost Pension fund contributions. Donations  Includes donations to support injury prevention, corporate donations  (e.g. Salvation Army), energy education, United Way and local  community causes.  Costs are directly assigned to Shareholder only.  Ombudsman Office  The Ombudsman Office commenced activity following the Initial Public  Offering, in order to address complaints escalated from the Customer  Service .  Prior to that, the Province of Ontario’s Ombudsman had  authority to investigate issues related to Hydro One customers.  Investor Relations  Investor Relations commenced activity following the Initial Public  Offering, in order to communicate with Shareholders and potential  investors and address their concerns.  EVP Strategy  Supports the executive team by identifying strategic opportunities and developing related initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions and non-regulated strategy work.  Shared Services and Finance  Real Estate  Manage and acquire rights of way and easements; manage property  taxes; manage SLU revenue programs; manage Employee Relocation  Program.  Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 17 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Exhibit A  A‐2 FUNCTIONS AND SERVICES DESCRIPTION  Value Growth  Seeks ways to leverage Hydro One’s core competencies to increase  overall value and drive down average cost to serve.  Costs are directly  assigned to Shareholder only.  Treasury  Risk management including insurance purchasing; insurance claims  settlement; financial risk management; cash & banking operations; debt  management‐prospectus, debt issuance, borrowing, maintain  relationship with shareholders; funds management; investor relations‐  shareholders, creditors, equity analysts & rating agencies; support  business activities; project management.  Corporate Controller  Corporate Accounting & Reporting; Revenue Management; Financial  Modeling & Analysis; Accounting Policy; Internal Control; IFRS / US  GAAP; Inergi Finance; Bill 198; Corporate Compliance.  Taxation  Meet internal and external tax compliance requirements and reduce  overall corporate tax liability through tax planning for current and new  businesses, acquisitions and dispositions, special projects, tax  compliance (including income tax, HST, and DRC returns for all entities),  tax accounting, lobbying for legislative tax changes and government tax  audits.  Regulatory Affairs  Coordinate applications with OEB; compliance with OEB orders; design  and implement regulatory policy; manage relationship with OEB.  Tasks  include: cost allocation and rate design for regulated Tx and Dx,  especially rate structures and rates for Tx and Dx tariffs; implement  approved rates; support transmitters’ representative on IESO Technical  Panel; manage MV Star to support settlement.  Includes: Direct billed  OEB costs for Tx and Dx; Direct billed NEB costs for Tx; Costs of Rate  Hearings before the OEB for Tx and Dx.    Business Planning and Decision  Support  Financial modeling & analysis; corporate planning & reporting;  regulatory finance; decision support to the lines of business  Outsourcing Services Manage overall business relationship between Hydro One and Inergi LP. Operations  Distribution Asset Management  Create prioritized, defensible distribution system investment strategies  and plans to meet Hydro One's Corporate Strategic Objectives including  promoting innovation and automation of our grids consistent with  maximum customer value. This includes the Distribution Technology  roadmap and smart meter deployment including communications  infrastructure.  Planning and Optimization  Coordinate the investment planning and investment approvals  processes for projects and programs issued to the lines of business from  the Planning Business Unit. The investment plan is developed and  maintained through the use of various tools, reports and LoB  interaction.  Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 18 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Exhibit A  A‐3 FUNCTIONS AND SERVICES DESCRIPTION  Reliability, Strategies, and  Compliance  Promote and facilitate Hydro One’s engagement and participation in the  development of reliability standards and related IESO Market Rules;  Develop, communicate and assist with the implementation of policies,  directives, procedures, and processes to ensure an enduring compliance  posture with reliability standards.  System Planning  Develop and commit prioritized, defensible transmission development  plans, consistent with corporate strategy, to meet government policy,  OPA plans, customer needs, regulatory requirements and industry  standards. Conduct Regional Infrastructure Planning to meet OEB  requirements and to develop regional plans to meet regional supply  needs.  Network Connections and  Development  Facilitate the connection of new load and generation customers to  Hydro One’s transmission network, supporting customers’ objectives  while respecting Hydro One’s strategic objectives and resource  requirements.  Network Operations  Operates the largest electricity delivery system in Ontario and one of  the largest in North America for the needs of the Province of Ontario.   Hydro One has a highly skilled and experienced workforce using first‐ class operating systems located in a state‐of‐the‐art Control Centre.   Hydro One is a team working together and safely to ensure Ontario has  a safe, reliable supply of electricity.  Transmission Asset Management  Provide asset strategies, investment plans and work definition for the  sustainment of the transmission grid to enable safe, reliable, efficient  and cost effective delivery in a customer‐focused commercial culture  that increases enterprise value for our shareholder that provides  increased value to our customers.  VP‐ Planning  Oversees Distribution Asset Management, Transmission Asset  Management, Planning and Optimization, Network Connections and  Development, System Planning, and Reliability, Strategies, and  Compliance.  EVP Office‐ Operations Oversight of Operations group. Strategic Services  Supports the executive team by advancing key strategic initiatives and  interfacing with Lines of Business to assist in the implementation of  these initiatives, coordinating the development of processes to ensure  alignment within the Company and a focus on our key priorities, and  providing support to the President and CEO and the Leadership Team.  Information Services  Corporate Projects  Deliver the projects necessary to maintain and enhance the core  services Hydro One provides to its customers across the province.  Project delivery is completed by leveraging both internal and external  expertise to design and construct using standard and repeatable  methods that lead to safe, reliable and cost effective operations of  those assets.    Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 19 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Exhibit A  A‐4 FUNCTIONS AND SERVICES DESCRIPTION  Information Technology  Information technology security; Enterprise IT architecture; Service  delivery; Technology services; Governance of IT architecture, Business  analysis and information management, Project management; Inergi &  Telecom services management. Applications; Compliance security; Data  services; Information services; IT operations; System architecture.  Security Operations  Incident reporting and security awareness; Threat intelligence  gathering; Physical security and asset threat and risk assessments;  Investigations; Theft of electricity consultation and detection;  Workplace violence prevention and response; Contract security  procurement assistance; Overall security and asset protection advice;  Security infrastructure Capital and OM&A investment planning and  project management.  Customer & Corporate Relations  Customer Care Services  Service the approximately 1.1 million distribution customers. Improve  customer satisfaction through strategic system and process  enhancements, effective services contracting, proactive communications  and quality programs.  Service programs include meter reading, billing,  settlements, customer contact handling and collections.  Project work  includes regulatory compliance initiatives and service enhancements.  Customer Strategy and  Conservation  Design and deliver energy conservation and demand management  incentive based programs; Leverage Smart Grid investments to provide  customer enablement of new technologies for energy management; Co‐ ordinate Greener Choices program; Provide input to Corporate Strategic  Plan and develop recommendations on emerging strategic opportunities.  Customer Program Delivery  Supports Customer Service and Corporate Relations with five year  business plans and the associated three year Dx Rate Filings with the  OEB.  Includes the Credit & Collections team is focused on reducing  arrears and bad debt for both active and final‐billed accounts, while  working with customers on a variety of payment options to increase  customer choice and provide more payment flexibility.    Also included is  the new Conservation and Demand Management team that delivers  province‐wide programs in order to meet multi‐year targets aimed at  reducing energy peaks and the overall consumption on the electricity  grid.  Key Account Management  Manage relationships with Hydro One's large customers including over  90 Transmission‐connected Industrials, 79 LDCs and 33 Transmission‐ connected Generators, representing almost 70% of Hydro One's  revenues.  Includes Operating Support; Account Executives; Contract  Management; and Customer Programs.  VP Customer Service  Oversees Customer Service group, which has overall accountability for relationship, affordability and value proposition for products and services  provided to customers.  Includes bill management, major accounts and  value‐added services (e.g. conservation).  Customer Service also  Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 20 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Exhibit A  A‐5 FUNCTIONS AND SERVICES DESCRIPTION  responsible for Advanced Distribution System Project and Smart Meters. Meter To Bill  Focused on providing clear, accurate, and timely bills to customers.  This  includes validation of meter reading data, bill calculations, exception  handling, retailer transactions, bill creation, bill insertion, and bill  issuance.  Corporate Affairs  Support all external and internal communications initiatives.  Interact  with most other Hydro One departments; special focus on Customer  Service.  Support major projects including: development of partnership  activities; coordinate with external energy agencies (e.g. OPA, IESO),  Ministries in Ontario Public Service and internal Hydro One resources.   Participate in pre‐public consultations with municipalities and First  Nations.  Support customer strategy, rate strategy, distribution  generation strategy; develop working relationships with customers,  regulators, shareholder, lenders; labour relations; corporate culture.    Includes SVP Customer & Corporate Relations ‐ Oversees the entire  Customer Service organization as well as the old Corporate Relations  group, including Corporate Affairs, First Nations and Metis Relations and  Key Account Management.  First Nations and Métis Relations  Provide First Nations and Métis consultation advice and support;  Advise re First Nations and Métis HR strategies; Provide strategic advice to  Remotes with respect to First Nations and Métis issues.  Bad Debt and Goodwill Bad Debt related to Distribution service.  Allocated 100% to Distribution. SVP Customer and Corporate  Relations  Oversees VP Customer Service, Key Account Management, Corporate  Affairs and First Nations and Métis Relations.  Inergi LP (outsourced services)  Finance and Accounting Services  Accounts Payable; Accounts Receivable (non‐energy); Fixed asset and  project cost accounting; general accounting and planning, budgeting  and reporting  Human Resources‐ Pay services Payroll and related services Accounts Payable Invoice processing and payment People and Culture  People and Culture  Primarily employee‐related services, including administer compensation  & benefits programs; decision support for business units; talent  management (hiring, succession, development, coaching; high potential  employee assessments); recruitment and diversity (diversity programs,  grad program, student/co‐op, line of business resourcing); data  administration; consulting support to LOBs and corporate functions; VP  Human Resources.      Provide full‐scale service pertaining to bargaining, Ontario Labour  Relations Board hearings, grievance and arbitration hearings, advice and  Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 21 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Exhibit A  A‐6 FUNCTIONS AND SERVICES DESCRIPTION  guidance, plus training to all levels of Hydro One management.  Involves  interaction with 21 unions and 24 collective agreements.  Audit  Audit  Provides assurance that internal controls continue to operate  effectively, identification and recommendations for areas where  controls can break down or need improvement to meet corporate  objectives.  This includes the VP Chief Risk Officer.  General Counsel & Secretariat  General Counsel & Secretariat  Provides legal advice to all business units, acting as an internal “law  firm” for the Corporation on most aspects of law affecting it, and is also  well acquainted with day‐ to‐day requirements of the Corporation.  Telecom Services  Telecom Services  Provides telecommunications infrastructure across the Province,  including both voice and data.  Links staff and business applications at  Trinity, Richview TS, Markham and London Call Centers, Mill Creek data  centre, 125 field offices (400 total sites including stations) and  customers via Call Centres and Web sites.  VP Chief Risk Officer  VP Chief Risk Officer  The VP Chief Risk Office group creates an enterprise‐wide  comprehensive and uniform approach to anticipate, identify, prioritize,  measure, treat and report on key business risks impacting our  organization. It puts in place the policies, common processes,  competencies, accountabilities, reporting and enabling technology to  execute that approach successfully. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 22 of 28 Hydro One Networks Inc. | COMMON CORPORATE COSTS (DISTRIBUTION) ‐ 2016   BLACK & VEATCH | Exhibit B   B‐1 Exhibit B: Types of Cost Drivers   TYPE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLES  External Cost Drivers  Physical Physical units; usually objectively  determinate but often require estimates  Headcount (of employees), number of workstations, invoices to vendors  Financial Financial information from accounting or  management reports, budgets or projections  Capital expenditures, Net utility plant, Program  Project Costs, Total capital, Total revenue  Blended Weighted combinations of other drivers,  used when one or more drives are applicable  and none is clearly preferable; weights  determined by judgment  Non‐energy Rev_Assets Blend = 50% weight for Non‐ Energy Revenue and 50% weight for Assets  Driver  xBusiness Unit  Any driver may be modified by excluding one  or more business units to which the activity  does not apply  Cost driver for Business Process Improvements is  Operating Maintenance Capital, but Telecom and  Remotes business units do not use the shared  service, therefore activity cost driver is called Oper  Maint Cap xTxR (i.e., Gross Utility Plant excluding  Telecom and Remotes)  Internal Cost Drivers  All Internal  Cost Drivers  Use the result of previous allocations as the  basis for further allocations  Cost of general departmental expenses might be  allocated in the same proportion as the specifically  assigned departmental activities  Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 23 of 28 Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 24 of 28 Ex ert Evidence Statement from Blac & Veatch Canada Com an    This Statement is provided in compliance with Ontario Energy Board (“Board”) Rule 13A, regarding the reports listed below (“Reports”) dated December 21, 2016, prepared by Black & Veatch Canada Company (“Black & Veatch”). Reports:  Review of Allocation of Common Corporate Costs (Distribution) – 2016  Review of Shared Assets Allocation (Distribution) – 2016  Review of Overhead Capitalization Rates (Distribution) – 2018-2022 Consultant: Black & Veatch Canada Company 11401 Lamar Avenue Overland Park, KS 66211 Black & Veatch, and its affiliate Black and Veatch Management Consulting LLC, provide strategic, economic and management consulting specializing in energy matters, in areas such as utility cost allocation and ratemaking, economic analysis, strategy development, operational assessment, industry restructuring support, litigation and regulatory support, and technical analysis. Qualifications: The lead experts on this project were: David DesLauriers Mr. DesLauriers is a highly experienced Director in Black & Veatch’s Rates & Regulatory Services group and specializes in regulated interstate transmission pricing and wholesale electric market policy matters. He delivers a unique blend of regulatory policy acumen and practical rate setting experience to provide highly effective and supportable ratemaking and regulatory solutions to his clients. Mr. DesLauriers has advised numerous midstream energy utilities on rates and regulatory policy for the past 24 years. His areas of expertise include: electric transmission cost of service and rate design, wholesale electric market design policy and operational topics, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) policy matters, regulatory due diligence (M&A) and compliance with FERC regulation. His clients include Regional Transmission Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 25 of 28 Ex ert Evidence Statement from Blac & Veatch Canada Com an    Organizations and Independent System Operators, transmission owning energy companies (regulated and non-regulated) and industry stakeholder groups involved in FERC regulatory policy. Mr. DesLauriers led the common cost allocation study conducted for Kinder Morgan Inc. in 2009-2010 timeframe and testified before FERC on common cost allocation (IS09-437). Russell Feingold Mr. Feingold leads Black & Veatch’s Rates & Regulatory Services group and has over 40 years of experience in the utility industry, the past 37 years of which have been in the field of utility management and economic consulting. Specializing in the utility industry, he has advised and assisted utility management, and industry trade and research organizations in matters pertaining to costing and pricing, competitive market analysis, regulatory planning and policy development, gas supply planning issues, strategic business planning, merger and acquisition analysis, corporate restructuring, new product and service development, load research studies and market planning. He has prepared and presented expert testimony before numerous utility regulatory bodies, including the Ontario Energy Board, and has spoken widely on issues and activities dealing with the costing, pricing, and marketing of utility services. Mr. Feingold has led cost allocation review projects for Hydro One Networks Inc. related to the allocation of common corporate service costs, for Union Gas Limited and Enbridge Gas Distribution related to their regulated and unregulated underground storage operations, and for Union Gas Limited related to its Dawn to Trafalgar gas transmission system, and its corporate shared services functions. John Taylor During his 12 year career as a consultant to utilities Mr. Taylor has supported projects involving financial analysis, regulatory support and strategy, market assessment, litigation support, and organizational and operations reviews. Mr. Taylor’s work often involves providing support for regulatory proceedings by conducting various studies and analyses related to revenue requirements, affiliate transactions, class cost of service, and cash working capital studies. He also has experience in asset and corporate valuation, the application of real options analysis, and various risk management techniques. Mr. Staff_DR_208(H1) Attachment C Page 26 of 28 Ex ert Evidence Statement from Blac & Veatch Canada Com an    Taylor has also been involved in the sale of generating assets, supporting due diligence efforts and regulatory approval processes. He has filed testimony as an expert witness on class cost of service studies and on the appropriate use of statistical analysis during audit testing. Instructions Provided: The instructions provided to Black & Veatch in preparing the Report were:  Recommend a best practice methodology to distribute Hydro One Inc.’s Common Corporate costs among the business units that use the functions and services. This recommendation could include the continuation of the existing methodology, the continuation of the existing methodology with modifications or the proposal of a new methodology.  Prepare a Report of the recommended Common Corporate Costs Methodology to be used in future rate applications. This report will include a conclusion, definitions, a summary of every factor used in the methodology and the proposed methodology.  Identify the functions and services included in the Common Corporate costs.  Identify activities that are performed in order to provide the functions and services included in the Common Corporate costs.  Determine which Common Corporate functions can distribute cost directly, which units can have cost distributed using time studies and which units require allocations using drivers and why.  Propose and analyze all drivers used for allocation.  Propose, analyze and perform all time studies required.  Distribute the annual budgeted costs for years 2017-2021 to perform each function and service among the activities required to perform it, based on time and/or cost studies.  Distribute the cost of each activity among the business units based on direct assignment when possible, and based on cost drivers when not.  Prepare responses to Interrogatories from Interveners during a rate application relating to the proposed Cost Allocation methodology.  Be available to testify to the proposed methodology during a future rate application.  Prepare final reports for Common Corporate Costs allocation reflecting the current Business Plan and including both the Distribution and Transmission businesses, to be submitted in Cost of Service applications.  In support of the successful Proponent’s work, Hydro One’s management will respond to all requests for basic information and/or supporting documentation. 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