20100108notice_of_public_workshop_order_no_30977.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
January 8 2010
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF UNITED WATER IDAHO, INc. FOR
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES
AND CHARGES IN THE STATE OF )IDAHO. CASE NO. UWI-09-
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
ORDER NO. 30977
On September 3, 2009, United Water filed a general rate case Application for
authority to increase rates by 15.21%, to be applied equally to all classes of customers.! On
September 17, 2009, the Commission issued a Notice of Application, establishing an October 8
2009, deadline for parties to intervene and suspending the Company s proposed October 3 2009
effective date for new rates. Order No. 30901. Community Action Partnership Association of
Idaho (CAP AI) requested and was granted intervention. The technical hearing is scheduled to
begin on March 4 2010.
THE APPLICATION
United Water currently provides water service to approximately 83 900 customers
within Ada County, Idaho, and has been providing service to the public in Boise City and the
surrounding area for more than 100 years. Application at 2. If approved, the Company
revenues would increase by $5.6 million annually. The Company last increased its basic rates
and charges in August 2006. Order No. 30104. United Water claims it has made numerous
major capital investments since the last rate case in order to continue to provide quality service to
its customers. The Company asserts it has invested $2 million in treatment facilities, more than
$12 million in replacing aging infrastructure, almost $1.4 million in booster station
improvements, and over $700 000 in auxiliary power generators at various sites throughout its
water system. Wyatt Direct at 4.
The Company proposes a revenue increase of $5.6 million, which amounts to an
overall increase in rates of 15.21 %.2 United Water maintains that it seeks additional revenue to
recover increased operating expenses and costs associated with plant additions and to produce a
I On July 2, 2009, the Company filed a Motion for Order Waiving Requirement for Cost of Service Study
maintaining that there was no compelling need for a study to be included with its current rate case Application. The
Commission granted the Company s request in Order No. 30865.
2 The Company is not proposing a change to the current tariff design and intends to maintain the 25% differential
between winter and summer volumetric rates. Wyatt Direct at 5.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
ORDER NO. 30977
fair rate of return, thereby enabling it to continue to provide adequate and reliable service to its
customers. Application at 3. The Company s Application states that the proposed changes in
rates and charges would produce a rate of return of 8.49%. Id.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a public
workshop on TUESDAY. JANUARY 19. 2010. AT 7 P.M. IN THE COMMISSION
HEARING ROOM. 472 WEST WASHINGTON STREET. BOISE. IDAHO The purpose
of the workshop is to provide United Water customers with an overview of the Company
Application and to dispense information. At this meeting customers will have an opportunity to
ask questions of Commission Staff regarding the Application and learn how customers may
further participate in the proceeding. Company representatives may also be available.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application together with supporting
workpapers, testimonies and exhibits have been filed with the Commission and are available for
public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission offices. The Application and
testimonies may also be viewed on the Commission s website at www.puc.idaho.gov by clicking
on "File Room" and then "Water Cases.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all workshops and hearings in this matter
will be held in facilities meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons needing the help of a sign language interpreter or other
assistance in order to participate in or to understand testimony and argument at a public hearing
may ask the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter or other assistance at the hearing.
The request for assistance must be received at least five (5) working days before the hearing by
contacting the Commission Secretary at:
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (FAX)
Mail: secretary~puc.idaho.gov
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 that the
Commission may enter any final Order consistent with its authority under Title 61.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
ORDER NO. 30977
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted according to the Commission s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that a public workshop be held on Tuesday, January 19
2010, in the Commission Hearing Room, 472 West Washington Street, Boise, Idaho.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this t
-r/..
day of January 2010.
MPT , P DENT
MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
MACK A. REDFO SSIONER
ATTEST:
~p~
a D. Jewel
Commission Secretary
O:UWI-09-01 ks4
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
ORDER NO. 30977