27609.docx

(text box: 1)BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF UNITED WATER IDAHO INC. FOR AUTHORITY TO REVISE AND INCREASE RATES CHARGED FOR WATER SERVICE.
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CASE NO. UWI-W-97-6
ORDER NO. 27556
On November 3, 1997, United Water Idaho Inc. (United Water; Company) in Case No. UWI-W-97-6 filed an Application with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) for authority to increase its rates and charges for water service.  Supporting workpapers and documentation were filed by the Company on November 14, 1997.  As reflected in the Company’s Application the overall increase in annual revenue requested was $3,424,516, or an increase of 15.47% over current rates.  Also at issue in Case No. UWI-W-97-6 are the identified service and water quality issues raised in the filings and submitted investigative reports in Case No.UWI-W-96-6.  
Pursuant to Order No. 27229 issued November 20, 1997, the proposed schedule of rates and charges in Case No. UWI-W-97-6 was suspended for a period of thirty (30) days plus five (5) months from the adjusted effective date of December 14, 1997.  
The hearing in Case No. UWI-W-97-6 was held on April 22-24, 1996.  Post hearing briefs were filed by United Water and Ms. Ullman on May 8, 1998 and by Commission Staff on May 15, 1998.  The completed transcript consisting of 1,100 pages and related exhibits was filed with the Commission on May 15, 1998.  United Water filed a formal reply to Ms. Ullman’s brief on May 15, 1998, and a letter response to Staff’s brief on May 22, 1998.  The Company also filed  on May 18, 1998 a post hearing amended Exhibit No. 5 setting forth amended power cost calculations.  Requests for intervenor funding were filed by the Idaho Citizens Coalition on May 22, 1998, and by Ms. Sharon Ullman on May 29, 1998.  The Company reserves the right to respond to both petitions for intervenor funding and pursuant to Commission rules is allowed 14 days.  Reference IDAPA 31.01.01.164.
As reflected above the calculated decision date in Case No. UWI-W-97-6 is June 14, 1998.  The Commission in this matter has considered its calendar and notes that other Commission-related demands on its time draw the Commission out of the office and state and prevent the complete consideration of this matter within the time frame previously established.  Although sensitive to the desire of the Company to process this case within the time frame of the original suspension period, said position being more particularly reflected in its Objection filed on May 29, 1998(footnote: -6), the Commission, nevertheless, finds that good cause exists to extend the suspension period in Case No. UWI-W-97-6 from June 14, 1998 to July 1, 1998.  Reference Idaho Code 61-622.  The additional period will enable the Commission to give the issues raised in this case the consideration and informed reflection they deserve.  The Company’s proposal set forth in its Objection regarding rate recovery will be taken under advisement.  
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over United Water Idaho Inc.,  a water utility, and its Application in Case No. UWI-W-97-6 pursuant to Idaho Code, Title 61, and the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq. 
The Commission has the authority under Idaho Code § 61-622 to suspend the rates that are the subject of the Application in this case upon a finding of good cause for an additional period of sixty days from the calculated decision date of June 14, 1998.
It is necessary to suspend the rates in this Application for an additional period of seventeen days (or until July 1, 1998) to allow the Commission sufficient time to consider and determine the issues presented in this Application.  
O R D E R
In consideration of the foregoing and as more particularly described above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the proposed schedule of rates and charges for water service in Case No. UWI-W-97-6 should be and hereby is suspended for a further period of seventeen (17) days from June 14, 1998 (or until July 1, 1998), or until such earlier time as the Commission may issue an Order accepting or rejecting or modifying the Application in this matter.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this                  day of June 1998.
                                                                                                                                      DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT
                                                                                           RALPH NELSON, COMMISSIONER

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
vld/O:UWI-W-97-6.sw5
FOOTNOTES
-6:
*The Company argues that despite “good cause” not being defined in Idaho Code 61-622, it clearly means something more than “the convenience of the parties or the Commission.”  The Company argues that any further delay would be unfair and suggests a revenue recovery procedure to mitigate any prejudice that might result, i.e., a tariff schedule that would compress rates to allow faster recovery over a shorter period.  
COMMENTS AND ANNOTATIONS
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Service Date
June 4, 1998