20240814Formal Complaint.pdf

CASE No.: IPC-E-24-34
110 Larkspur Rd. h;ECEIVED
Hailey, ID 83333
August 11,2024 LQf4CI� PM 05
liter' r i:) U' LIC
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
11331 W.Chinden Blvd., Bldg. 8,suite 201-A
Boise,ID 83714
Dear Commissioners:
The 180 sq.ft.addition to our one car garage was almost complete, permits from the building
department,fire department and sanitary district were approved. It was time to move wires 35 inches
from the old meter box to the new one which would take 15 minutes according to the electrician.
Idaho Power came and said a new power line was required from the street to the house, 160 feet. I was
in Iowa on our farm for planting and was not available to look into this demand. The contractor could
not delay so the power line was put in at a cost of$5,000 plus other costs for a total of over$10,000;
power line damage is still being replaced.
Had we known in advance of this unnecessary demand and cost we would not have started the
addition. We later found from the efforts of Utilities Commission representative Mr.Thaden that Idaho
Power claimed that the existing power line was too short and that a prohibited splice was needed and
that the wires were in concrete. Both claims were FALSE. The new meter was 35 inches closer to the
distribution box thus no splice was needed and the wires were in conduit the same as the new wires;
the original conduit is still in place.
Idaho Power told Mr.Thaden that Rule H was the reason for the demand. Neither the architect or
contractor, both very experienced people,were aware of this requirement until the project was almost
complete.
The trenching for the required conduit destroyed part of a sprinkler system and an 8 X 100 maintained
area of old sage that is irreplaceable. A new sprinkler area is required for the sod that will replace the
sage.All the above is a great abuse of bureaucratic power for a nonsensical demand and is a reason for
unaffordable housing. It is impossible to budget for a project when an outside influence can interrupt at
the last minute.
Mr.Thaden has done a fine job with this situation but is up against a bureaucratic powerhouse,thus this
FORMAL COMPLAINT is necessary.
The outcome should be financial compensation from Idaho Power for the for the unneeded work and
cost due to Idaho Power.
Sincerely, Jim Naumann
/1"w/L

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Little,Governor
P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 Eric Anderson,President
�.� John R.Hammond,Jr.,Commissioner
Edward Lodge,Commissioner
August 6, 2024
Mr.Jim Naumann
110 Larkspur Road
Hailey, ID 83333
RE: Relocation of Meter
Dear Mr. Naumann,
Thank you for your most recent correspondence regarding your ongoing objection to Idaho
Power's position with the relocation of your garage meter. The Company believes it is
following Rule H of its Tariff.
I was unable to resolve your issue informally, therefore there will be no further action taken on
my part to help resolve it. When an individual is dissatisfied with the outcome of their informal
complaint,they may file a formal complaint for review by the Commission under its Rules of
Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq" - Rule 054. Formal Complaints—Defined—Contents and
Process, available online at: https://adminrules.idaho.goy/rules/current/31/310101.pdf
A formal complaint can be filed when the outcome of an informal complaint is not
satisfactory. The formal complaint must be in writing, state the facts and specify how you
would like the problem to be resolved. Unlike an informal complaint, which is handled by the
Commission's staff, the Commissioners must consider a formal complaint. The Commissioners
will decide whether it is appropriate to accept the formal complaint. If it is accepted, a formal
legal proceeding will be started. If the Commission does not accept the formal complaint, then
nothing further will be done by the Commission.
In summary, your formal complaint should state:
• The name of the utility or person the complaint is against.
• A full statement of the facts constituting the acts or omissions of the utility or person
against whom the complaint is filed, and the dates when the acts or omissions occurred.
• The specific provision of statute, rule, order, notice, tariff or other controlling law that
the utility or person has violated.
• What action or outcome should be taken to resolve the complaint.
The address to send the formal complaint to the Commission is:
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.,Building 8 Suite 201-A,Boise ID 83714
Telephone:[phone] Facsimile:[phone]

Mr. Naumann Page 2 8-6-24
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0074
In lieu of mailing the complaint,the complaint may be electronically submitted to the
Commission Secretary by emailing it to [e-mail]
Please know that a formal complaint becomes part of the Commission's public records for
anyone to view.
If you have any questions, please let me know. My contact information is listed below.
Sincerely,
Curtis Thaden
Utilities Compliance Investigator I Idaho PUC
[e-mail]
800-432-0369 or 208-334-0322 (direct)
Fax: [phone]

IIdaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Uttle,Governor
P.0.Box 83720,Boise,ID 83720-0074 Eric Anderson,President
John R.Hammond,Jr.,Commissioner
Edward Lodge,Cammissioner
June 6, 2024
Mr_Jim Naumann
110 Larkspur Road
Hailey, ID 83333
RE: Idaho Power.
Dear Mf. Naumann,
Thank you for contacting the Idaho Public Utilities Commission(IPUC) regarding your issue with
Idaho Power. Upon receipt of your letter dated June 15, 2024, 1 contacted Idaho Power
informing the Company of your objection to what transpired in relocating your garage meter.
Idaho Power informed me that the new meter base had to be relocated from the inside of your
new garage addition to the outside due to the Company's construction standards. Because the
concrete pad and footings were poured over a direct buried line, Idaho Power claimed it made
it impossible to pull the' -wire to reach the new meter base location without splicing the line,
which-could'compromise the integrity of the wire. This is why a new line was required.
Additionally, Idaho Power said any upgrades, or alternations to direct buried lines must be
placed in conduit. The Company s standard process is to have all wire in conduit for enhanced
reliability and safety.
Regarding the cost. I asked Idaho Power why anew line from the transformer to the new
meter base would cost approximately$5,000. Idaho Power confirmed you provided the trench
and installed 3-inch conduit and that the cost to install 166 feet of new service was$838.74. 1
assume a misunderstanding may have occurred regarding the cost of$5,000.
If you have any questions, please let me know. My contact information is listed below.
Sincerely,
i.
Curtis Thaden
Utilities Compliance investigator I Idaho-PUC
curtis.thaden(@puc.idaho.gov!
800-432-0369 ar208-334-0322 (direct)
Fax: [phone]
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.,Building 8 suite 201-A,Boise ID 83714
Telephone:[phone] Facsimile:[phone]

NAD11ApNN B©ISE ID RPDC 837
110 Larkspur Rd. 13 AUG 2024 PM 1 L
Halley, ID 83333
�( 3 W,
'
�}77� '
Zol�-
ii1lli0011"iiil�iiiil11iil'lHll"i11,�11�;,i
:� 1