modproc.app.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION OF UNITED WATER IDAHO INC. FOR AN ORDER APPROVING THE PURCHASE BY UNITED WATER IDAHO INC. OF WATER SERVICE PROPERTIES OWNED BY M&M MOUNTAIN VIEW ACRES SUBDIVISION WATER COMPANY, INC., FOR AUTHORITY TO EXPAND UNITED WATER IDAHO’S CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY NO. 143 AND FOR APPROVAL OF RELATED RATES AND CHARGES. )
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CASE NO. UWI-W-00-03

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE

NOTICE OF COMMENT/ PROTEST DEADLINE

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on March 31, 2000, an Application in Case No. UWI-W-00-03 was filed with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) by United Water Idaho Inc. (United Water) for an Order approving the purchase by United Water of water service properties owned by M&M Mountain View Acres Subdivision Water Company, Inc. (M&M). Reference Idaho Code § 61-526; Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.112. The purchase price is $20,800. United Water further requests approval of certain rate and ratemaking matters including the right of United to include in rate base and future rate proceedings the full purchase price of the assets and related acquisition costs (legal expense) in the amount of $2500.
United Water provides water service to approximately 65,000 customers within the Idaho counties of Ada and Canyon and operates under Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity No. 143 (as Amended). M&M provides potable water service to approximately twenty-four (24) residential customers within the M&M Mountain View Acres Subdivision in Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho. M&M is a non--profit Idaho corporation whose members also comprise the Company’s customer base.
The $20,800 purchase price will be applied against an existing M&M indebtedness in the approximate amount of $32,670 to the Idaho Department of Water Resources, leaving an unpaid loan balance of approximately $11,870 which will be paid by M&M out of cash reserves.
As represented in the Application, the M&M water distribution system is unmetered. The current monthly rate is $28.50. United proposes to provide unmetered service pursuant to tariff Schedule 1-E, presently a flat bi-monthly charge of $50.36. In all other respects, United Water will provide service in accordance with the rules and regulations applicable to its service territory. Revenue collected from M&M’s customers based on the proposed rate, the Company contends, will be such that United Water’s current customers will not be burdened by the purchase of M&M’s assets.
As represented, the current owners of M&M desire to convey the M&M domestic water system to United Water because increasingly complex regulatory requirements make it difficult or impossible for the M&M Homeowners Association to operate this system. None of the homeowners are qualified to receive required operator certificates. None of the homeowners have the necessary training or experience to comply with the EPA Information Reporting Rule. None of the homeowners have the necessary training or experience to perform the testing requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
Included in the Company’s Application is a map and legal description of the proposed boundary expansion including the underlying Agreement for Purchase and Sale and a copy of the proposed applicable Schedule 1-E Flat Rate Service Tariff. United Water contends that the requested expansion of its Certificate No. 143 and service territory is consistent with the public convenience and necessity. United Water contends that public interest does not require a hearing to consider the issues presented. The Company requests that the Application be processed under Modified Procedure.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has preliminarily found that the public interest in this matter may not require a hearing to consider the issues presented and that the Company’s filing may be processed under Modified Procedure, i.e., by written submission rather than by hearing. Reference Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the deadline for filing written comments or protests with respect to United Water’s Application and the use of Modified Procedure in Case No. UWI-W-00-03 is Thursday, May 4, 2000.
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 on the basis of the written positions before it. Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.204.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that written comments concerning Case No. UWIW-00-03 should be mailed to the Commission and the Company at the addresses reflected below.

COMMISSION SECRETARY
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074

Street Address for Express Mail:

472 W WASHINGTON ST
BOISE, ID 83702-5983 GREGORY P. WYATT
UNITED WATER IDAHO INC.
PO BOX 7488
BOISE, ID 83707

DEAN J. MILLER, ESQ
McDEVITT & MILLER
537 W BANNOCK, STE 215
PO BOX 2564
BOISE ID 83701-2564
All comments should contain the case caption and case number shown on the first page of this document.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company’s Application in Case No. UWI-W-00-03, together with a map of the M&M service territory, a copy of the Agreement for Purchase and Sale and a copy of the proposed rate schedule, may be viewed during regular business hours at the offices of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, 472 West Washington Street, Boise, Idaho and at the general business office of United Water Idaho Inc., 8248 West Victory Road, Boise, Idaho (UWI Telephone: [phone]).

DATED at Boise, Idaho this day of April 2000.

DENNIS HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary

Vld/N:UWI-W-00-03_sw

NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF COMMENT/ PROTEST DEADLINE 1

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
April 17, 2000