20151120Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
FROM:DON HOWELL
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE:NOVEMBER 18,2015
SUBJECT:UNITED WATER’S REQUEST TO CHANGE ITS CORPORATE NAME
TO SUEZ WATER IDAHO INC.,CASE NO.UWI-W-15-03
On November 16,2015,United Water Idaho filed a letter notice with the
Commission Secretary indicating the water utility’s desire to change its name to “SUEZ Water
Idaho Inc.”As outlined in the letter to the Commission Secretary,United Water Idaho’s
corporate parent SUEZ Group announced its intention to operate its various businesses under a
single brand name:SUEZ.Accordingly,United Water amended its Articles of Incorporation
with the Idaho Secretary of State changing the name of the Idaho utility to SUEZ Water Idaho
Inc.effective November 9,2015.
The letter notice further states that the Company intends to change its customer bills,
signage,vehicle and uniform identifiers over the next several months.In addition,the Company
will notify its customers of the name change beginning in November,which “will employ digital
and print advertising,bill inserts,website and social media postings,and outdoor advertising.”
Letter at 1.
Separate correspondence from the utility’s Vice President and General Manager,
Gregory P.Wyatt,indicated that there would be “no change in existing control,ownership,
corporate structure,operations or management,and no cost of the {name change]program will
be passed on to customers.”He also stated that the utility will continue to provide excellent
service to Boise area customers.
As part of the notice filing,the utility included a complete copy of SUEZ Water
Idaho’s tariff schedules which indicate the name change.The tariff schedules have a proposed
DECISION MEMORANDUM 1
effective date of December 22,2015,and reflect the stipulated rates agreed to by the parties in
the Company’s pending general rate case,UWI-W-15-01.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Because the name change does not affect rates and the cost of changing the name will
not be borne by ratepayers,Staff recommends that the Commission acknowledge the name
change and order the utility to submit a new Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity No.
143 in the name of SUEZ Water Idaho Inc.United Water’s Certificate No.143 needs to be
updated because it has been amended approximately 24 times since the Company’s last name
change (from Boise Water to United Water Idaho).
COMMISSION DECISION
1.Does the Commission accept the utility’s proposal to change its name to SUEZ
Water Idaho Inc.?
2.Does the Commission wish to order the utility to submit a consolidated Certificate
No.143 under the SUEZ Water Idaho Inc.name?
Don Howell
Deputy Attorney General
bls/M:UWI-W-I 5-03_dh
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
S U e2 :eguIatory Bu&ness
461 From Road,Suite 400
Paramus,NJ 07652
tel [phone]
fax [phone]
email Gary.Prettymanunltedwater.com
November 16,2015
Via Electronic Filing
Jean Jewell,Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O.Box 83720
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83720-0074
Re:Corporate Name Chanae of the United Water Inc.Companies
Dear Secretary Jewell:
SUEZ Group (“SUEZ”)is the ultimate corporate parent of United Water Inc.and the public
utility subsidiary providing service in Idaho is United Water Idaho Inc.SUEZ is a global
enterprise with over 80,000 employees operating in 70 countries under 50 different brands.
Earlier this year,SUEZ announced that it intended to operate its various businesses under a
single brand:SUEZ.Consistent with that effort,United Water Idaho Inc.is undergoing a
name change.The purpose of this letter is to advise the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (the
“IPUC”)that the name change set out below became effective on November 9,2015 with the
Secretary of State of Idaho:
COMPANY NAME NEW COMPANY NAME
United Water Idaho Inc.SUEZ Water Idaho Inc.
Corresponding changes will be made to bills,signage,vehicles and uniforms during the
remainder of this year and early next year.SUEZ Water Idaho Inc.will notify its customers of
the name change through an outreach program beginning in November,which will employ
digital and print advertising,bill inserts,website and social media postings,and outdoor
advertising.The name changes will have no impact on the Idaho customers,who will continue
to receive water service under the same rates,terms and conditions as are currently in effect.
United Water is changing its brand to SUEZ
Head office —461 From Road,SuIte 400,Paramus,NJ 07652—Tel:[phone] —www.unltedwater.com
‘I
Jean Jewell,Secretary
November 16,2015
Page 2
Finally,so that the IPUC’s records accurately reflect the name changes of SUEZ Water
Idaho Inc.,enclosed are copies of various materials filed with,and received from,the Idaho
Secretary of State effectuating the name change as well as a copy of the bill insert that will be
sent to customers.Additionally,also attached is a complete copy of SUEZ Water Idaho tariff
which indicates the name changes and the effective date.
Based upon discussions with Staff,the attached Tariff also reflects the stipulated rates to
become effective December 22,2015.Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
regarding the name change or any of the attached materials.
Best regards,
Gary S.Prettyman
Senior Director -Regulatory Business
GSP:dmv
cc:Donald L.Howell,II DAG
Randy Lobb,Administrator
Tern Carlock
Beverly Barker
Greg Wyatt
Joe Miller
United Water Is changing its brand to SUEZ
Head office —461 From Road,Suite 400,Paramus,NJ 07652—Tel:[phone] —www unitedwater.com
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
(.G:enerál Bustness)
To .tb Sucretaiy dfState of the StatØ of idaho
Ptsuant to Title 30,Chapt 1,1daio Code -Hid undfstgned SECRETARY OF STATEoraiionneridsftsarts.Df IpñJj STATE OF IDAHO
WthO corporation has been administratively dissolved and the corporate name Isno Lenger
available Yet use,tile ahlorfdmeflt(s)below must bolude b cháiie aT cotporate neme
2,The text of each arnendmentls as follows:
The Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation are hereby amended by striking out Article I thereof and by
SL&bstIIutlng in lieu of said Article the following new Article as adopted:
1,The name of the corporation shall be SUEZ Water Idaho mc;
.lbs date of edoption of the amendment(s)was:_OIOb 1 2015
4.Manner fadopUo check one)
[]The arneiulrnerft onssLi xLisv&y of matters whlbh do not require.sharehdlder.eotion pursuanto
sectional)i 1OO?3Q I 1OD 111d30 I 1006,ldahoCode andwas,therefore)adopedythebosrdof
directors.
None of the corporation’s shares have been Issued and was1 therefore,adopted by the
incorporator board of dIrectors;
Eti Approval by the shareholdersIs required andthe shareholdersduty approv.ed the amendment(s)as
required byeither Title30,Idaho Code or bythe ArticlesofIncorporation.
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70 countries Globally,our demand br natural resources wiLl more than double our current
supply It we don I start working towards a solution now it will be too Late
50 companies.Thars why SUEZ Is consolidating our businesses around a single mission—
preparing for the resource revoLution.By pooling our resources today,were able
I foc to bring a global network to work on a local Level We do this so you can continue
to enjoy the great water and service you do today,(or many years to come.
--
Thinking Ahead Learn more at mysuezwater.corn suez
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I—
GREGORY P.WYATI
Vice President and General Manager
UNITED WATER IDAHO INC.OCT 22 PH j:29
8248 W.VICTORY ROAD
BOISE1 ID 83709
TEL [phone]lmES COM8SQ
October 19,2015
Commissioner Paul Kjellander
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
P.O.Box 83720
472 W.Washington Street
Boise,ID 83720-0074
Dear Commissioner Paul Kjellander:
I am pleased to inform you that effective November 9,2015 the name ofUnited Water Idaho
Inc.will be changed to SUEZ Water Idaho Inc.
Corresponding changes will be made to bills,signage,vehicles and uniforms during the
remainder of this year and early next year.Tariff filings reflecting the name change will also be
made.
This is part of a Suez program to unify a complex global multi-brand structure that currently
does not enable customers to adequately identify the Company as a water and waste services
solutions provider.Our customers will be notified of the name change through an outreach
program beginning in early November,which will employ digital and print advertising,bill
inserts,website and social media postings,and outdoor advertising.Meetings with your Staff are
being scheduled to fully explain the name change and the timeline in detail.
This is a change ofname only.There is no change in existing control,ownership,corporate
structure,operations or management,and no costs of the program will be passed on to customers.
Most importantly,there will be no change in the excellent utility service we provide to the Boise
area customers every day.
SUEZ Water Idaho looks forward to continuing its great relationships with you,your Staff,our
customers,and other stakeholders under this new name.If you or your Staffhas any questions.
please contact me.Thank you.
Very Truly Yours,
c Presi ent and General Manager