20110920notice_of_application_order_no_32359.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
September 20,2011
BEFORE THE IDAhO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION )
OF UNITED WATER IDAHO INC.FOR )CASE NO.UWI-W-ll-03
AUTHORITY TO APPLY ABANDONED )
DEPOSITS TO LOW INCOME )NOTICE OF APPLICATION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM )
)NOTICE OF
)MODIFIED PROCEDURE
)
__________________________________
)ORDER NO.32359
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on September 2,2011,United Water Idaho
Inc.filed an Application requesting Commission authority to pay unclaimed deposits to its UW
Cares program.The UW Cares program assists low-income and disadvantaged customers with
payment of water bills.The Company initiated UW Cares in 2005,and the program is
administered through El-Ada Community Action Partnership social service organizations.The
program currently provides up to $50 in annual water bill assistance to qualifying customers,and
United Water initially designed it to match customer contributions into the fund up to $20,000
annually.Since 2005,the program has provided more than $74,000 in assistance to more than
1,600 qualified customers.In its currently pending general rate case,United Water is proposing
to increase the annual amount available per customer to $65 and to remove the matching cap of
$20,000.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Idaho Code §14-508(1)provides that a
deposit paid to a utility “in advance for utility services to be furnished,less any lawful
deductions,that remains unclaimed by the owner for more than one (1)year after termination of
services for which the deposit or advanced payment was made is presumed abandoned.”
Pursuant to paragraph 2 of Section 14-508,the Commission may certify to the Idaho State
Treasurer that a utility participates in a financial assistance program that assists the utility’s low
income and disadvantaged customers with their utility bills.1 Upon certification by the
Commission,“the utility shall pay the funds which would have been presumed to be abandoned
idaho Code §14-501(1)was amended in 2010 to designate the Idaho State Treasurer to receive the Commission’s
certification.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32359 1
under subsection (1)of this section to the financial assistance program certified by the public
utilities commission.’Idaho Code §14-508(2).
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that United Water’s Application states that it
currently holds two deposits related to the construction of subdivision water main extensions.
The projects were abandoned by the developers prior to completion.The deposit amounts are
$80,817.48,deposited on January 31,2007 and $14,777.71,deposited on April 21,2008.United
Water asserts that it ‘made diligent effort to return the deposits to the depositors,but has been
unable to do so.”United Water Application,p.3.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that because the deposits have remained
unclaimed for more than a year,they are presumed to be abandoned pursuant Idaho Code §14-
508 and the Commission’s Utility Customer Relations Rule 110,IDAPA 31.01.21.110.
Accordingly,United Water requests a Commission Order certifying to the Idaho Treasurer that
United Water participates in a financial assistance program which assists the utility’s low-income
and disadvantaged customers with their utility bills,and authorizing transfer of the deposits,less
reasonable costs of this proceeding,to the dedicated UW Cares account.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the
public interest may not require a formal hearing in this matter and will proceed under Modified
Procedure pursuant to Rules 201 through 204 of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission’s Rules
of Procedure,IDAPA 3 1.01.01.201-204.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 in opposition with the Commission within
21 days from the service date of this Notice.The comment must contain a statement of reasons
supporting the comment.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company and other interested parties
have fourteen (14)days after the initial comment period to file reply comments.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring a hearing must specifically
request a hearing in their written comments.Written comments concerning this Application may
be mailed to the Commission and United Water at the addresses reflected below:
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32359 2
Commission Secretary Dean J.Miller
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Chas.F.McDevitt
P0 Box 83720 McDevitt &Miller LLP
Boise,Idaho 83720-0074 P0 Box 2564
Boise,ID 83701
Street Address for Express Mail:E-Mail:I [e-mail]
472 W,Washington Street
Boise,ID 83702-5918
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 “Comments and Questions”
icon,and complete the comment form,using the case number as it appears on the front of this
document.These comments must also be sent to United Water at the e-mail address listed
above.
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.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and supporting workpapers
have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection during regular
business hours at the Commission offices or on the Commission’s web site at
www.puc.idaho.gov by clicking on “File Room”and then “Water Cases.”
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.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this matter will be
conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure,IDAPA 3 1.01.01.000 et seq.
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32359 3
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that United Water Idaho’s Application for an Order
certifying that it participates in a financial assistance program and authorizing it to pay
unclaimed deposits to its UW Cares program be processed by Modified Procedure,IDAPA
31.01.01.20I-.204.Persons interested in submitting written comments in this matter must do so
within 21 days from the service date of this Notice.The Company and other interested parties
have 14 days after the initial comment period to file reply comments.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise,Idaho this
day of September 201 1.
PAUL K.jELUA DER,PRESIDENT
/
MACK A.REDFORD.COMMISSIONER
XL4tL 3&JL
MARSFIA H.SMITH,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
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Jjin D.Jewell
Commission Secretary
bls/O:UWJ-W-I I -O3ws
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
ORDER NO.32359 4