20241001Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: ADAM TRIPLETT
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: OCTOBER 1, 2024
SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO VALIANT IDAHO,
INC. AND TIC UTILITIES, LLC, OWNERS OF A NORTHERN IDAHO
WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM; CASE NO. GNR-W-
24-01.
On September 24, 2024, counsel for Staff emailed Valiant Idaho, Inc.'s counsel
regarding a letter apparently sent to Valiant's customers, dated September 9, 2024. The letter
indicated that Valiant's service rates would increase from $45 to $100 per month, beginning
October 1, 2024.
During a telephone conversation the following day, Valiant's counsel represented to
Staff s counsel that Valiant would continue billing customers at the $45 monthly rate in effect on
September 6, 2024, unless and until the Commission approves a rate increase. Valiant's counsel
further represented that Valiant would send a letter to customers notifying them of the same.
Staffs counsel responded that, despite this, Staff was still likely to, at the least, seek a
Commission order directing the Company to charge only the rates it had in effect on September
6, 2024.
On September 27, 2024, Staff moved for an order directing Valiant Idaho, Inc. to 1)
charge only the rates for service that it had in effect on September 6, 2024; and 2) submit
evidence that its customers have been notified that rates for service would not increase on
October 1, 2024. Although the motion was not filed until two days later, Valiant's counsel was
notified of the substance of the motion during the September 25, 2024, telephone conversation
with Staffs counsel.
DECISION MEMORANDUM I

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue an order directing Valiant Idaho, Inc. to 1)
charge only the rates for service that it had in effect on September 6, 2024; and 2) submit
evidence that its customers have been notified that rates for service would not increase on
October 1, 2024.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue an order directing Valiant Idaho, Inc. to 1) charge
only the rates for service that it had in effect on September 6, 2024; and 2) submit evidence that
its customers have been notified that rates for service would not increase on October 1, 2024?
Adam Triplett
Deputy Attorney General
I:\Legal\WATER\GNR-W-24-01\memos\GNRW2401_dec2_at.doc
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2