20130913Press Release.pdf

Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Case No. TRH-W-13-01, Order No. 32881
September 12, 2013
Contact: Gene Fadness [phone], 890-2712
Website: www.puc.idaho.gov

Water workshop scheduled in Coeur d’Alene

Staff from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission will be in Coeur d’Alene Tuesday night,
Oct. 1, to conduct a workshop for customers of Troy Hoffman Water Company.

The company, which serves about 150 households in Coeur d’Alene, is seeking authority
to raise its monthly residential rate from $11.80 to $15.76. For consumption exceeding
5,000 gallons per month, the company seeks a rate of $1.47 per 1,000 gallons,
compared to the current $1.10

The workshop begins at 7 p.m. in the Edminster Student Union Building on the campus
of North Idaho College, 1000 W. Garden Ave. PUC staff members will give a short
explanation of the company’s application and then take questions from customers.
Representatives of the company may also be on hand to answer questions.

The company claims that operating expenses continue to exceed income, “due to the
fact that there was a 15-year period between 1996 and 2011 in which no rate increases
were requested.” In 2011, the company increased its the monthly rate from $5.50 to
$11.80.

State statute requires that the commission allow regulated utilities to recover all
prudently incurred expenses plus a reasonable rate of return, also set by the
commission. The burden is on the utility to show that its increased expenses were
needed to serve customers and were prudently incurred. The commission may accept,
reject or modify the company’s proposal.

The commission is also taking public comment through Nov. 14 on the company’s
application and will schedule a hearing later this year. The company seeks an effective
date of Jan. 1 for the proposed rate.

The company’s application, as well as other documents related to the case, is on the
commission’s Website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on “Open Cases” under the “Water”
heading and scroll down to Case No. TRH-W-13-01. To comment, go the Web site and
click on “Case Comment Form,” under the “Water” heading. Comments may also be
mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID, 83720-0074, or faxed to 208-334-3762.

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