20191226Notice_of_Application_Order_No_34518.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
December 26,2019
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF TETON WATER &)CASE NO.TTS-W-19-01
SEWER COMPANY'S APPLICATION FOR )APPROVAL OF USE OF EMERGENCY )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
RESERVE FUND MONIES )
)NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)ORDER NO.34518
On November 22,2019,Teton Water &Sewer Company ("Teton Water"or
"Company")applied to the Commission for approval of $18,044.80 in expenses to be reimbursed
from Teton's emergency reserve fund ("Fund").
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 the Commission authorized Teton Water to
establish the Fund in Order No.30718.The Fund is only to be used "for emergencies and major
unplanned capital expenditures,"such as plant maintenance,repair,or replacement.Order No.
30718 at 12.While Teton Water may immediately access the Fund,it must "establish an auditable
paper trail and provide the Commission with contemporaneous written notice of the Company's
use of the [Fund]for an allegedly permitted purpose with emergency details and related invoices."
Id.at 13.After the emergency use of Fund monies,the Company must file an application
requesting the Commission determine whether the Fund withdrawal(s)meet the Commission's
eligibilityrequirements.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Teton Water states it spent $18,044.80 to
purchase a backup well pump,transformer,and associated materials during summer 2019.The
Company states Well #1 and Well #2 were running almost continuouslyin mid-June,but failing
to maintain minimum reservoir levels during peak demand periods.The Company estimated that
if Well #1 failed the Company would have only 8-12 hours to repair the well before its reservoir
would be emptied.The Company determined it would be wise to have a replacement pump,motor,
and transformer on hand in case of failure.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34518 1
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company states it began consulting with
Buchanan Well Drilling,Inc.("Buchanan")and Rendezvous Engineering on June 18,2019 about
pump replacement parts.On June 27,2019,the Company requested Buchanan order a Goulds
pump,a Franklin motor,310 feet of pump cable,two check valves,and 42 feet of galvanizedsteel
pipe.The total cost of this purchase was $16,864.80.The Company also ordered around this time
a replacement transformer for $1,180.00.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company states that even though the water
system did not fail during summer 2019,the length of time required to get replacement parts shows
the Company could not have fixed a well before its reservoir was depleted.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company requests the Commission
authorize the Company to use the Fund to cover these expenses,and requests its case be processed
by Modified Procedure.
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 .Click on the "File Room"tab at
the top of the page,scroll down to "Open Water Cases,"and then click on the case number shown
in the caption to 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 and specifically Idaho
Code §§61-501,61-502,and 61-503.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted
pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 31.01.01.000et seq.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that 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.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34518 2
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that any person desiring to state a position on this
Application must file a written comment in support or opposition with the Commission by
February 26,2020.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:
For the Idaho Public Utilities For Teton Water:
Commission
Commission Secretary Jon Pinardi
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Teton Water &Sewer Company
PO Box 83720 PO Box 786
Boise,ID 83720-0074 Driggs,ID 83422
Street Address for Express Mail:
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.
Building 8,Suite 201-A
Boise,Idaho 83714
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 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 Company must file any reply comments by
March 4,2020.
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.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34518 3
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company's Application be processed by Modified
Procedure,Rule 201-204 (IDAPA 31.01.01.201-.204).Persons interested in submitting written
comments must do so by February 26,2020.The Company must file any reply comments by
March 4,2020.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this a
day of December,2019.
PAUL KJELLAlŠDEfLAPRESIDENT
KR TINE RAPER,CÒMMÏ$SIONER
ERIC ANDER ,R
ATTEST:
Diane M.Hanian
Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\WATER\TTS-W-19-01\orders\TTSW1901_meapp mod proc_mh.docx
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.34518 4