HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080825min.docIDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
August 25, 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 August 11, 2008. The minutes were approved by vote.
The second order of business was approval of the CONSENT AGENDA, items 2 - 5.
There was no discussion and the Consent Agenda was approved.
The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:
6. Don Howell’s August 22, 2008 Decision Memorandum re: MDU Resources Group’s Purchase of Intermountain Industries (Including Intermountain Gas Company).
Mr. Howell reviewed his Decision Memo. Commissioner Redford asked if there will be a net reduction in employees at Intermountain Gas because of the consolidation. Mike McGrath, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Intermountain Gas, confirmed that there won’t be a change in employee base, although several key employees will be leaving to work for the parent company.
Commissioner Smith commented that the commission could not condition the transaction because it does not have jurisdiction. There was no further discussion.
7. Nancy Hylton’s August 22, 2008 Decision Memorandum re: Formal Complaint of Jonathan Gibbs.
Ms. Hylton reviewed her Decision Memo. Commissioner Smith made a motion to accept the formal complaint. She stated it seemed reasonable to investigate the charges to see if they are reasonable. Commissioner Kempton concurred and stated that the question of whether Mr. Gibbs could do his own trenching was valid and on that basis the Commission should go ahead and investigate, although the complainant had signed the contract. The Commission unanimously agreed to accept the formal complaint and issue a Summons to Idaho Power.
8. Woodbury/Sasser’s August 21, 2008 Decision Memorandum re: General Rate Case – Late Intervention Filing, Case Nos. AVU-E-08-01/AVU-G-08-01 (Avista).
Mr. Woodbury reviewed the Decision Memo. Commissioner Redford expressed his concerns about whether Bennett Forest Industries would need to sign the Settlement Agreement if the late-filed Petition to Intervene is granted, and if the company didn’t sign, then there might not be an agreement after all. Mr. Woodbury explained that Bennett Forest had agreed not to expand the issues and the company merely wants to be able to ask questions at hearing. Mr. Howell added that the Commission has a long history of granting requests for intervention, including limited intervention such as this request, where the requesting party agrees to the established schedule and record as they are.
Joe Miller, counsel for Bennett Forest, assured the Commission that the company completely understands and accepts the record as it is and won’t disrupt the schedule or the settlement. He said at this point, it just wants the opportunity to give its comments.
There was no further discussion and Commissioner Kempton made a motion to grant Bennett Forest’s late-filed Petition to Intervene and restrict the parameters of its participation based on the criteria set out in the Decision Memo. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
There were no other items on the agenda and Commissioner Redford adjourned the meeting.
DATED this ______ day of August, 2008.
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COMMISSION SECRETARY