20230323Order_on_Request_for_Remote_Testimony_Order_No_35716.pdf

ORDER NO. 35716 1
Office of the Secretary
Service Date
March 23, 2023
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF VEOLIA WATER IDAHO INC. FOR
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES
AND CHARGES FOR WATER SERVICE IN
THE STATE OF IDAHO
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CASE NO. VEO-W-22-02

ORDER ON REQUEST FOR
REMOTE TESTIMONY

ORDER NO. 35716

On September 30, 2022, Veolia Water Idaho, Inc. (“Company”) filed an Application with
the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) requesting authorization to raise the rates
it charges for water service. The Company requests an October 31, 2022, effective date.
On October 20, 2022, the Commission issued a Notice of Application, Notice of
Suspension of Proposed Effective Date, and Notice of Intervention Deadline. Order No. 35569.
Subsequently, the Commission granted intervention to Ada County; Sharon Ullman, pro se;
Micron Technology, Inc.; and the city of Boise City. Order Nos. 35589 and 35604.
On December 15, 2022, the Commission issued a Notice of Schedule setting submission
deadlines for Staff, Intervenor, and Company written testimony. Order No. 35628. On January 17,
2023, Commission Staff (“Staff”) recommended the Commission issue a Scheduling Order setting
a Virtual Public Workshop for January 31, 2023. On January 20, 2023, the Commission issued a
Notice of Schedule and Notice of Virtual Public Workshop. Order No. 35670. On February 21,
2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Schedule, Notice of Customer Hearing, and Notice of
Technical Hearing. Order No. 35683.
On March 8, 2023, the Company filed a Request for Permission for Company Witness Matt
Kahn to Testify Remotely (“Motion”). The Company represented that because Mr. Kahn’s
testimony was not addressed in rebuttal testimony, the Company wanted to avoid the expense and
logistics associated with flying Mr. Kahn to Boise to present his testimony in person during the
technical hearing.
On March 14, 2023, the Commission considered the Company’s Motion during the
Commission’s decision meeting. The Commission noted the importance of in-person attendance
for technical hearings, and found that the Company did not provided sufficient justification in
support of its Motion to overcome what the Commission determined was the necessity of having
ORDER NO. 35716 2
an in-person opportunity to cross-examine witness by the parties and possible questioning of
witnesses by the Commission. Thus, the Commission denied the Company’s Motion. The
Commission now enters this order in conformity with that decision.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Company’s Request for Permission for Company
Witness Matt Kahn to Testify Remotely is denied.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21,
2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be
deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service between
parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous
discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 23rd day of
March 2023.

__________________________________________
ERIC ANDERSON, PRESIDENT

__________________________________________
JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER

__________________________________________
EDWARD LODGE, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

_________________________________
Jan Noriyuki
Commission Secretary

I:\Legal\WATER\VEO-W-22-02 rates\Orders\VEOW2202_Order_Mot_cb.docx