20131126Comments.pdf

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WELDON B. STUTZMAN ?si:.nr.-u -=.
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL i1 1", ; ' '1 ';; 15
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION ,, ' ;-'
PO BOX 83720 -:", ;
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone]
IDAHO BAR NO. 3283
Street Address for Express Mail:
472W WASHINGTON
BOrSE ID 83702-s918
Attorney for the Commission Staff
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF )
UNITED WATER IDAHO INC. TO AMEND AND ) CASE NO. UWI-W-13-01
REVISE CERTIFICATE OF CONVENIENCE AND)
NECESSITY NO. 143 TO INCLUDE PROPERTY )
OF BRIGHTON LAND HOLDINGS LLC. )
)
rN i .orr No. uwl-w-r3-02
UNITED WATER IDAHO INC. TO AMEND AND )
REVISE CERTIFICATE OF CONVENIENCE AND)
NECESSITY NO. 143 TO INCLUDE ) COVTMENTS OF THE
EASTVALLEY SUBDIVISION.) covrMrssroN srAFF
)
)
COMES NOW the Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, by and through
its Attorney of record, Weldon B. Stutzman, Deputy Attorney General, and in response to the
Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure issued in Order No. 32920 on
November 5,2013, submits the following comments.
STAFF COMMENTS NOVEMBER26,2OI3
BACKGROUND
On October 23,2013, United Water Idaho Inc. frled two Applications to extend its
certificated area. In Case No. UWI-W-I3-01, United Water seeks to add an area known as
Brighton Land Holdings LLC (Brighton Property) to its service territory. In Case No.
UWI-W-13-02, United Water seeks to add an area known as Eastvalley Subdivision to its
certificated service territory. Both Brighton Land Holdings LLC and the developer of Eastvalley
have requested that United Water extend service to the area. Both areas are adjacent to each
other and also adjacent to United Water's existing certificated area.
The Company's Application states it will extend water service facilities to the area
pursuant to its main extension rules and regulations. United Water plans to provide service to all
areas in the Brighton Property and Eastvalley under the terms of its Tariff No. I , General
Metered Service.
STAFF REVIEW
Attachment 1 is a map showing the location of the Brighton Property and the Eastvalley
Property. The Brighton Property is adjacent to the existing United Water certificated area
boundary in east Boise. The Eastvalley Property is immediately adjacent to the Brighton
Property.
Both the Brighton and Eastvalley properties are currently unserved by any water utility.
Furthermore, there are no other water providers with existing facilities in the vicinity of either
the Brighton Property or Eastvalley capable of providing water service. As shown on the map,
Brian Water Company serves 46 customers in a small subdivision just south of Eastvalley.
However, Brian Water, which was formerly regulated by the Commission, is having difficulty
providing adequate and safe service to its existing customers. Brian Water is currently in
discussions with United Water for United Water to take over its system, and is not capable of
providing service to any new customers. Staff concludes, therefore, as required by ldaho Code
$61-526, the requested service territory expansion will not interfere with the operations of any
other water utility corporation under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
United Water is capable of immediately extending service to both the Brighton Property
and the Eastvalley Subdivision by extending its existing mainlines located within its service
territory. Providing service to Brighton and Eastvalley will not require the construction of
STAFF COMMENTS NOVEMBER26,2OI3
special facilities. United Water submits that the expansion into this area is consistent with the
public convenience and necessity as required by ldaho Code $61-526. Staff agrees.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the Commission approve the expansion of United Water's service
areas as requested. Stafffurther recommends that the Commission authorize the preparation and
filing of an Amended Certificate No. 143 to include the Brighton Property and the Eastvalley
Property as described in the Company's Application.
Respecttully submiued this zbwday of November 2013.
Weldon B. Stutzman
Deputy Attorney General
Technical Staff: Rick Sterling
i:umisc:comments/uwiwl3. I 2wsrps comments
STAFF COMMENTS NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Attachment I
Case No. UWI-W-13-01
uwl-w-t3_02
Staff Comments
t1/26il3
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT I HAVE THIS 26TH DAY oF NoVEMBER 2013,
SERVED THE FOREGOING COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION STAFF, IN
CASE NO. UWI.W.13.O1/UWI-W-13-02, BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF,
POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE FOLLOWING:
GREGORY P WYATT
UNITED WATER IDAHO INC
PO BOX 190420
BOISE tD 83719-0420
EMAIL: [e-mail]
DEAN J MILLER
McDEVITT & MILLER LLP
420 W BANNOCK
BOISE ID 83702
EMAIL: [e-mail]
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE