20250417Notice_of_Customer_Hearing_Order_No_36550.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
April 17,2025
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF GEM STATE WATER ) CASE NO. GSW-W-24-01
COMPANY,LLC'S APPLICATION FOR )
AUTHORITY TO INCREASE ITS RATES ) NOTICE OF MODIFIED
AND CHARGES FOR WATER SERVICE ) PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF CUSTOMER
HEARING
ORDER NO. 36550
On December 27, 2024, Gem State Water Company, LLC ("Company") applied for
authorization to increase its rates and charges for water service in Idaho. The Company's
Application included six exhibits. The Company requested a February 1, 2025, effective date and
that its Application be processed by Modified Procedure.
On January 21, 2025, the Commission issued a Notice of Application and Notice of
Intervention Deadline. Order No. 36445. Additionally,the Commission suspended the Company's
proposed effective date for five months and thirty days under Idaho Code § 61-622.
On February 28, 2025, the Company filed an amended application to include depreciation
costs associated with certain post-test-year plant in service that were omitted from the original
application ("Amended Application"). The Company's amended proposal would increase the
Company's revenues by 78.8 percent. The Company requested an April 1,2025,effective date and
that its Amended Application be processed by Modified Procedure.
On March 20, 2025, the Commission issued an Amended Notice of Application and
suspended the Company's proposed April 1, 2025, effective date to August 1, 2025. Order No.
36516.
At the Commission's March 25, 2025, Decision Meeting, Commission Staff ("Staff')
presented a decision memo, recommending that the Commission issue a Notice of Modified
Procedure,Notice of Public Workshop, and Notice of Customer Hearing.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF CUSTOMER HEARING
ORDER NO. 36550 1

With this Order, the Commission establishes public comment and Company reply
deadlines and sets an in-person public workshop and customer hearing.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission has determined that the public
interest may not require a formal technical hearing in this matter, and it will accept written
comments under the Commission's Rules of Modified Procedure Rules 201-204 of the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission's Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.201-204, in addition to testimony at
the customer hearing. The Commission notes that Modified Procedure and written comments have
proven to be an effective means for obtaining public input and participation.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to state a position on this matter
may file a written comment explaining why they support or oppose the Amended Application.
Persons who would like a hearing must specifically request a hearing in their written comments.
Persons shall have until June 13, 2025, to file written comments. Comments must be filed
through the Commission's website or by e-mail unless computer access is unavailable. To
comment electronically,please access the Commission's website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click the
"Case Comment Form" and complete the form using the case number as it appears on the front of
this document.
To file by e-mail, persons must e-mail the comments to the Commission Secretary and all
parties at the e-mail addresses listed below. Persons submitting a comment by e-mail must provide
their name, address, and the Case Number under which they are commenting. Persons submitting
a comment by e-mail also acknowledge that submitting a comment in an open case constitutes a
public record under Idaho Code § 74-101(13), and all information provided by such person is
available for public and media inspection.
If computer access is unavailable, then comments may be mailed to the Commission and
the Parties at the addresses below.Persons submitting a comment by mail must provide their name,
address, and the Case Number under which they are commenting. Persons submitting a comment
by mail also acknowledge that submitting a comment in an open case constitutes a public record
under Idaho Code§74-101(13),and all information provided by such person is available for public
and media inspection.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF CUSTOMER HEARING
ORDER NO. 36550 2

For the Idaho PUC: For Gem State Water Company, LLC.:
Commission Secretary Preston N. Carter
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Givens Pursley LLP
P.O. Box 83720 601 W. Bannock St.
Boise, ID 83720-0074 Boise, ID 83702
secretaryApuc.idaho.gov prestoncarterkgivenspursley.com
stephaniewk givenspursley.com
Street Address for Express Mail:
K. Scott Bruce
11331 W. Chinden Blvd. Falls Water Co., Inc.
Building 8, Suite 201-A 2180 North Deborah Drive
Boise, ID 83714 Idaho Falls, ID 83401
scottl kfallswater.com
Matt Rowell
NW Natural Water
250 SW Taylor St.
Portland, OR 97204
matt.rowellknwnatural.com
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company must file any reply comments no
later than July 8, 2025.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that if no written comments or protests are received
within the time limit set,the Commission will consider this matter on its merits and enter its order
without a formal technical hearing. If written comments are received within the time limit set, the
Commission will consider them and, in its discretion, may set the same for a formal technical
hearing.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that Staff will hold an in-person public, informational
workshop for customers taking service from the Company at 30355 3rd St., Athol, Idaho 83501
(The Athol Community Center) on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
(local time). The purpose of the workshop is to provide customers with an overview of the
Amended Application and Staff s analysis regarding the proposed rate increase. At the workshop,
customers may ask Staff about the Amended Application and how customers may further
participate in the proceeding. Representatives of the Company may also be available.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF CUSTOMER HEARING
ORDER NO. 36550 3

NOTICE OF CUSTOMER HEARING
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission will conduct an in-person
customer hearing on this matter on Wednesday,June 18,2025,starting at 4:00 P.M.(local time)
and ending at 7:00 P.M. (local time), or after all customer testimony has been taken,
whichever comes first. The customer hearing will be held at 30355 3rd St., Athol, Idaho 83501
(The Athol Community Center). The purpose of the customer hearing is to take testimony from
customers of the Company regarding the Company's Amended Application. Those planning to
testify are encouraged to arrive at the hearing location by 3:45 P.M. (local time)as the hearing will
conclude when it appears all customer testimony has been received.
For those who wish to call-in and listen only,please call 1-415-655-0001 and enter meeting
number 2862 600 6643 when prompted(customers will not be allowed to testify telephonically).
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that depending on the attendance and public interest,
the Commission may impose a five minute cap on each individual's testimony to ensure that all
interested persons have an opportunity to present their positions on the record. Additionally,
interested persons who have lengthy testimony are encouraged to file their full testimony--or the
portion exceeding the time limitin accordance with the public comment instructions.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the customer hearing will be held in facilities
meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Persons needing the
help of a sign language interpreter or other assistance to participate in or to understand testimony
and argument at a public hearing may ask the Commission to provide a sign language interpreter
or other assistance at the workshop or hearings. The request for assistance must be received at least
five working days before the hearing by contacting the Commission Secretary at:
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (FAX)
secretary�a,puc.Idaho.gov
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Amended Application be processed by Modified
Procedure, Rules 201-204. Persons interested in submitting written comments must do so by June
13, 2025. The Company must file any reply comments by July 8, 2025.
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF CUSTOMER HEARING
ORDER NO. 36550 4

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that an in-person public workshop will be held on Thursday,
May 1, 2025, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. (local time). The public workshop at 30355 3rd St.,
Athol, Idaho 83501 (The Athol Community Center). Customers can call in using the
information listed above to listen to the public workshop.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that an in-person public customer hearing will be held on
Thursday, June 18, 2025, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. (local time), or after all customer
testimony has been taken, whichever comes first. The customer hearing will be held at 30355
3rd St., Athol, Idaho 83501 (The Athol Community Center). Customers can call in using the
information listed above to listen to the customer hearing but must be physically present to offer
testimony.
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 171h day of
April 2025. /
G
EDWARD LODGE, P SIDENT
JO R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER
Recused
DAYN HARDIE, COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
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Commission Sec'
I:\Lega1\WATER\GSW-W-24-01_GRC\orders\GSW W2401_Ntc_Mod_IPPW_CH_at.docx
NOTICE OF MODIFIED PROCEDURE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP
NOTICE OF CUSTOMER HEARING
ORDER NO. 36550 5