20250204Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: ADAM TRIPLETT
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 2025
SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF PRIEST LAKE WATER,LLC'S APPLICATION TO
INCREASE ITS RATES AND CHARGES FOR WATER SERVICE IN THE
STATE OF IDAHO; CASE NO. PLW-W-24-02.
On October 8, 2024, Priest Lake Water, LLC ("Company") applied for a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity("CPCN"),to provide water service near Priest Lake in Bonner
County, Idaho. The Company also requested authorization to increase its rates from the current
single flat monthly rate of$37 to a flat monthly rate of$98 for residential customers and a flat
monthly rate of$100 for commercial customers. The Company requested a December 1, 2024,
effective date for the rate increase.
On December 4, 2024, the Commission opened this case, transferring the Company's
request to increase rates to it for processing and evaluation. The Commission further directed
Commission Staff("Staff')to recommend a procedural schedule for processing the requested rate
increase, contingent upon the resolution of the Company's request for a CPCN.
On January 13, 2025, the Commission issued Order No. 36442, granting the Company's
request for a CPCN.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue a Notice of Application, Notice of Intervention
Deadline, establishing a 21-day intervention period, and suspend the Company's proposed
December 1, 2024 effective date for 30 days and five months, consistent with Idaho Code § 61-
622(4). Staff further recommends the Commission issue a Notice of Modified Procedure,
establishing a public comment deadline of April 9, 2025, and a Company reply deadline of April
30, 2025. Staff also recommends that the Commission direct Staff to hold an in-person public
DECISION MEMORANDUM 1

workshop as soon as reasonably practicable. Finally, Staff recommends that the Commission hold
a customer hearing before deliberating the requested rate increase.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to issue:
1) A Notice of Application, Notice of Intervention Deadline, establishing a 21-day
intervention period, and suspend the Company's proposed December 1, 2024
effective date for 30 days and five months,consistent with Idaho Code§ 61-622(4)?
2) A Notice of Modified Procedure, establishing a public comment deadline of April
9, 2025, and a Company reply deadline of April 30, 2025?
3) Direct Staff to hold an in-person public workshop as soon as reasonably
practicable?
4) Hold a customer hearing before deliberating the requested rate increase?
Adam Triplett
Deputy Attorney General
IALegal\WATER\PLW-W-24-02_GRC\memos\PLW W2402_dec_at.docx
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2