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Home My WebLink About20090930notice_of_application_order_no_30916.pdfOffice of the Secretary Service Date September 30, 2009 BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IN THE MATTER OF SPIRIT LAKE EAST WATER COMPANY'S TARIFF ADVICE TO MODIFY TARIFF SCHEDULE NO. NOTICE OF APPLICATION CASE NO. SPL-09- NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 30916 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on August 20, 2009, Spirit Lake East Water Company filed a Tariff Advice to modify the Company s Tariff Schedule No.1. The Company proposes to add the following charges to the existing tariff: a late payment fee, a returned check charge, an after-hours reconnection charge, a seasonal reconnection charge and an after-hours seasonal reconnection charge. In addition, the Company proposes to begin billing its customers on a monthly basis rather than quarterly beginning October 1 , 2009. Finally, the Company proposes to modify language in tariff Schedule No.1 regarding how it will bill its customers in the event that it cannot read a meter(s). The Company originally requested that this filing become effective within 30 days after filing. On September 11 2009, the Company filed a letter requesting that the effective date be moved to October 1 2009. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Spirit Lake is requesting the change to monthly billing because it will: (1) produce a more consistent revenue stream to support the operations of the Company and the provision of safe, adequate and reliable water service to its customers; (2) send better and more timely signals to the Company s customers about their individual water usage; (3) allow the Company to obtain data showing a more accurate account of water usage or loss; and (4) provide for a more timely discovery and disclosure of any leaks on the customer s side of the meter. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Spirit Lake also proposes several non- recurring charges not previously contained in the tariff. The Company wishes to add: (1) a late payment charge of one percent (1 %) per month of the unpaid balance not received by the next statement date; (2) a $20 returned check fee each time a customer s check for payment for water NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 30916 service is returned by the bank; (3) a reconnection fee of $32 for reconnection within 30 days of disconnection but at times other than normal business hours; and (4) new reconnection fees for customers disconnected more than 30 days of $52 during normal office hours and $65 for other than normal business hours. Spirit Lake is requesting these fees and charges to allow the Company to recover a portion of the costs incurred by the Company for late payment, returned checks, and reconnecting service directly from those customers causing the cost to be incurred. The Company has provided notice of these changes through a direct mailing dated August 20, 2009, to each of its customers. NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has reviewed the filings of record in Case No. SPL-09-01. The Commission has preliminarily found that the public interest in this matter may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented and that issues raised by the Company's filing may be processed under Modified Procedure pursuant to Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAP A 31.01.01.201-204. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing written comments or protests with respect to Spirit Lake's Tariff Advice and the use of Modified Procedure in Case No. SPL-09-01 is Friday, October 16, 2009. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received within the deadline, the Commission may consider the matter on its merits and may enter its Order without a formal hearing. If comments or protests are filed within the deadline the Commission will consider them and in its discretion may set the matter for hearing or may decide the matter and issue its Order based on the written positions before it. 31.01.01.204. IDAPA YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No. SPL- W -09-01 should be mailed to the Commission and Spirit Lake at the addresses reflected below. NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 30916 Commission Secretary Idaho Public Utilities Commission PO Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0074 John R. Hammond, Jr. Fisher Pusch & Alderman, LLP PO Box 1308 Boise, ID 83701 E-mail: irhC0fpa-Iaw.com Street Address for Express Mail: 472 W. Washington Street Boise, ID 83702-5918 All comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this document.Persons desiring to submit comments via e-mail may do so by accessing the Commission s home page located at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the "Comments and Questions icon, and complete the comment form, using the case number as it appears on the front of this document. These comments must also be sent to Spirit Lake at the e-mail address listed above. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and supporting testimony have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices or on the Commission s Web site at www.puc.idaho.gov under the "File Room" and then "Water Cases. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant to the Commission s jurisdiction under Title 62 of the Idaho Code and that the Commission may enter any final order consistent with its authority under Title 62. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted pursuant to the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq. SUSPENSION OF PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE Due to the limited time between when the Company filed its Tariff Advice and when it requests that the rate become effective, the Commission finds that it cannot complete the processing of Spirit Lake East Water Company s Application before the proposed effective date of October 1 , 2009. Pursuant to Idaho Code ~~ 61-622 and 61-623 , the Commission hereby suspends the proposed changes for a period of 60 days from October 1 , 2009, or until such earlier time as the Commission enters an Order accepting, rejecting or modifying the request in this matter. NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 30916 ORDER IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this case be processed under Modified Procedure. Interested persons and the parties may file written comments no later than October 16 2009. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Spirit Lake East Water Company s proposed changes are suspended for a period of sixty (60) days from October 1 , 2009, or until such time as the Commission enters an Order accepting, rejecting or modifying the request in this matter. DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this .30 ""'- day of September 2009. . K MPT , P SIDENT MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER Out of the Office On this Date MACK A. REDFORD, COMMISSIONER ATTEST: ~~~ D. Jewell Commission Secretary blsIO:SPL-09-01 ws NOTICE OF APPLICATION NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE ORDER NO. 30916