HomeMy WebLinkAbout20040503min.docIDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
MAY 3, 2004 – 1:30 P.M.
In attendance were Commissioners Paul Kjellander, Marsha Smith and Dennis Hansen.
Commissioner Kjellander called the meeting to order. The first order of business was approval of the CONSENT AGENDA, items 1-2. There were no comments or questions. Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda items. A vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.
The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:
Don Howell’s April 30, 2004 Decision Memorandum re: Two Railroad Abandonments (Exemptions): Union Pacific Industrial Lead in Kootenai County (STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 218X); and Great Northwest Railroad’s (formerly the Camas Prairie) Jaype Branch Between Orofino and Jaype (approximately 31 miles) (STB Docket No. AB-872X).
Mr. Howell reviewed his Decision Memo. Commissioner Smith asked when the railroads are expected to file their abandonment applications. Mr. Howell replied that the window is 60 to 90 days. Commissioner Smith stated she would like to see if we can get a firmer date before deciding whether or not to use a hearing officer. Regarding hearings on proposed abandonment, she noted that she would like to propose a revision to Idaho Code to change the language from “shall” to “may schedule a public hearing” when a railroad is using the exemption process.
Commissioner Hansen stated he agreed with Commissioner Smith. He said that if at all possible, the Commission should conduct the hearing, even if only one Commissioner is able to do it. Mr. Howell confirmed that one abandonment is in Coeur d’Alene and the other one is in the Clearwater valley.
Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to initiate cases in the abandonment proceedings, leaving the issue of whether or not to use a hearing officer to another date. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
Deliberation re: Idaho Power Rate Case, Case No. IPC-E-03-13.
Ms. Nordstrom reviewed a letter from Idaho Power regarding suspension of base rate schedules. She noted that the Company is willing to consent to further suspension of the base rate schedules until May 25, 2004 to allow the Commission additional time to work on its order.
Commissioner Kjellander moved for approval of Staff’s recommendation to suspend the base rate schedules until May 25, 2004. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
Commissioner Kjellander stated that item 5 and 6 under FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS would be deliberated privately. He also noted that item 7 under EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS would be considered in Executive Session. He made a motion to move to Executive Session, recognizing that the Commission would not need to reconvene so the meeting would essentially be adjourned. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
DATED this ______ day of May, 2004.
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COMMISSION SECRETARY
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