HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080331min.docIDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
March 31, 2008 – 1:30 P.M.
In attendance were Commissioners Mack Redford, Marsha Smith and Jim Kempton.
Commissioner Redford called the meeting to order. The first order of business was approval of MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING on March 13, 2008. The minutes were approved by vote.
The second order of business was approval of the CONSENT AGENDA. Regarding item 3, Commissioner Smith noted she would be out of the office on the dates suggested for hearing. Commissioner Smith also commented on item 8 and suggested it would be more efficient to have the Staff’s recommendations filed first before asking for public comment. Mr. Lobb stated it can be structured so that there is a period after Staff’s comments are filed for customers to respond.
Commissioner Kempton asked if comments are typically handled this way, and Commissioner Smith replied that in the bigger cases, the position of the Staff is known before we ask for public comment.
There was no further discussion and Commissioner Kempton made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda items. A vote was taken and it carried unanimously.
12. D. Howell/K. Sasser’s March 25, 2008 Decision Memorandum re: Application of Idaho Power Company for Authority to Modify Its Rule H Charges and Credits Related to Distribution Line Installations and Underground Service Attachments, Case No. IPC-E-08-02.
Ms. Sasser reviewed the Decision Memo. In response to a question from Commissioner Redford, Mr. Howell explained that Staff will determine what parties have a particular interest in this matter and then will convene an informal prehearing conference, and if the parties can agree on modified procedure then Staff will advise the Commission accordingly.
Commissioner Redford stated he thought it was presumptive for the company to ask for such a short turn-around time, and he noted he had seen this more frequently in all of the filings, not just with Idaho Power. He commented that companies should be reasonable when asking for approval deadlines.
Commissioner Kempton asked Mr. Howell how long a short intervention deadline would last, and Mr. Howell replied it would probably be 10 to 14 days. Commissioner Kempton said he agreed with Commissioner Redford that the time frame was pretty tight, and he asked if it would be enough time for everyone involved. Mr. Howell replied that if the parties are generally in agreement with the proposal, then it would be enough time for the parties to determine if it can be processed by modified procedure.
Mr. Redford asked if the quick response requested by Idaho Power would short-change anyone who might want to intervene. Mr. Howell replied that 14 days was the normal comment period used for intervention. He said he didn’t want to presume it will be processed by modified procedure because the Commission will still have the right and flexibility to have a hearing, even if the parties agree on modified procedure.
Commissioner Smith made a motion to accept Staff’s recommendations for processing the case. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
13. Grace Seaman’s March 24, 2008 Decision Memorandum re: 2007 Telecommunications Relay Service Annual Report, Case No. GNR-T-8-01.
Ms. Seaman introduced Mr. Robert Dunbar, Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Administrator, and she reviewed her Decision Memo. She commended Mr. Dunbar for his conscientious administration of the TRS program. In response to a question from Commissioner Kempton, Mr. Dunbar gave the Commission an update on the FCC’s plan to shift funding for internet-based services to the states. Mr. Dunbar stated that costs could be transferred to the states right away, once the FCC resolves several pending issues.
Commissioner Smith made a motion to accept the TRS Administrator’s recommendation to maintain the current TRS contribution levels adopted in Order No. 30273; accept the annual report; and adopt the Administrator’s budget for 2008. She also added her thanks to Mr. Dunbar for his efficient and excellent administration of the TRS program.
14. Neil Price’s March 20, 2008 Decision Memorandum re: Application of Budget Prepay, Inc. dba Budget Phone Company for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, Case No. BPP-T-07-01.
Mr. Price reviewed his Decision Memo. He stated it was a standard application for a Title 62 certificate. Commissioner Kempton made a motion to approve the application for a certificate to provide facilities-based and resold local exchange telecommunications services within the state of Idaho. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
The only other items on the agenda, 15 – 17, were under the category of FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS and Commissioner Redford stated they would be deliberated privately. He then adjourned the meeting.
DATED this ______ day of March, 2008.
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COMMISSION SECRETARY
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