20190313notice_of_application_order_no_34271.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 13,2019
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )CASE NO.SPL-W-19-01
OF SPIRIT LAKE EAST WATER COMPANY )
AND LYNNWOOD FOR AMENDMENT AND )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
TRANSFER OF CPCN )
)NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)ORDER NO.34271
On February 15,2019,Gem State Water Company,LLC ("Gem State Water")filed an
application with the Commission requesting approval of Gem State Water's acquisition of Spirit
Lake East Water Company ("Spirit Lake"),Lynnwood Water,and Water Works Management
LLC ("Water Works"),and approval to amend Spirit Lake's certificate of public convenience and
necessity ("CPCN")to incorporate the customers currently served by Lynnwood Water and
transfer the amended CPCN to Gem State Water (collectively,"Application").
The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and Notice of Modified
Procedure setting comment and reply deadlines.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Gem State Water is an Idaho limited liability
company created to own and operate water utilities in Idaho.Gem State Water,through its parent
companies,is owned by Northwest Natural Holding Company.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Spirit Lake is a regulated water utility that
serves approximately 315 customers in north Idaho.LynnwoodWater serves approximately 18
customers.The same person owns the assets of LynnwoodWater and is the sole shareholder of
Spirit Lake.This person would be employed by NW Natural Water of Idaho for a period of at
least 36 months followingCommission approval of the Application.Water Works is a non-
regulated entity that holds certain water systems management contracts.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Gem State Water requests approval of its
acquisition of Spirit Lake,Lynnwood Water,and the assets of Water Works Management LLC,
the authorityto amend Spirit Lake's CPCN to include customers of Lynnwood Water,and the
transfer of the amended CPCN to Gem State Water.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34271 1
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Gem State Water states that customer rates will
not change as a result of the transaction,but the Company will work toward consolidating the rates
between Spirit Lake and LynnwoodWater in future rate cases.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application is available for public
inspection during regular business hours at the Commission's office.These documents are also
available on the Commission's web site at www.puc.idaho.cov.Click on the "File Room"tab at
the top of the page,then select "Water Cases"and click on the case number as shown on the front
of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held
pursuant to the Commission's jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code,includingIdaho Code
§§61-501.
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.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determinedthat the public
interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter,and that it will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Commission's Rules of Procedure,IDAPA
31.01.01.201 through.204.The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments
have proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this
Application may file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission by no
later than June 11,2019.The comment must contain a statement of reasons supporting the
comment.Persons desiring a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written
comments.Written comments concerning this Application shall be mailed to the Commission and
the Company at the addresses reflected below:
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34271 2
For the Idaho Public Utilities For the Company:
Commission
Preston N.Carter (ISB No.8462)
Commission Secretary Givens Pursley LLP
Idaho Public Utilities Commission 601 W.Bannock St.
PO Box 83720 Boise,ID 83702
Boise,ID 83720-0074 prestoncarter givenspursley.com
kendrah givenspursley.com
Street Address for Express Mail:
Eric W.Nelsen
472 W.Washington Street Senior Regulatory Attorney
Boise,ID 83702-5918 NW Natural
220 NW 2nd Ave.
Portland,OR 97209
Eric.Nelsen nwnatural.com
These 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 "Consumers"tab then click
the "Case Comment or Question Form"and complete the comment form using the case number as
it appears on the front of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Petitioners shall file reply comments,if
necessary,by no later than June 18,2019.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received
within the time limit set,the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and enter its Order
without a formal hearing.If written comments are received within the time limit set,the
Commission will consider them and,in its discretion,may set the same for formal hearing.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Application of Gem State Water Company be
processed by Modified Procedure,Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204).Persons interested
in submitting written comments must do so before June 11,2019.Petitioners may file reply
comments no later than June 18,2019.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34271 3
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of March,2019.
PAUL KJELLA ER,PRESIDENT
KRI INE RAPER,COMMISSIONER
ERIC ANDERSON,COMMISSIONER
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\WATER\SPL-W-19-Ol\SPLWl901_nteapp nte mod proc ej
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34271 4