20120827min.doc

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING

AUGUST 27, 2012 – 1:30 P.M.

In attendance were Commissioners Paul Kjellander, Mack Redford and Marsha Smith.

The first order of business was APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING on Monday, August 20, 2012. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes as written.

The next order of business was approval of the CONSENT AGENDA:
2. Carolee Hall's August 24, 2012 Decision Memorandum re: Frontier Communications Northwest Inc., Petition for a Waiver of FCC Threshold Requirements for an LRN and Numbering Resources in Idaho's Coeur d'Alene Rate Center, Case No. VZN-T-12-01.3. Karl Klein's August 24, 2012 Decision Memorandum re: Teton Water and Sewer Company's Application Regarding Ownership Change for Teton Springs Water and Sewer Company (CPCN 475), Case No. TTS-W-12-01.4. Kathy Stockton's August 24, 2012 Decision Memorandum re: Avista Tariff Advice No. 12-03 (Electric) and 12-05 (Gas).5. Neil Price's August 23, 2012 Decision Memorandum re: Intermountain Gas Company's Annual Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA) Filing, Case No. INT-G-12-01.
Commissioner Smith asked about item 4 and how the change in the deferred tax interplays with the filings Avista just made to reduce rates—that is, does it wipe out the reductions? Terri Carlock replied it will be an increase that will be absorbed by the other filings and the net will be a smaller decrease than it would have been otherwise when you put them all together.
There was no further discussion and Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to approve Staff’s recommendations for items 2 – 5 on the Consent Agenda. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
The next order of business was EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS:
6. To Consider Records Exempt from Public Disclosure Under a Claim of Trade Secret/Privilege/Confidential per Idaho Code §9-340, Case Nos. IPC-E-12-20, IPC-E-12-22, and IPC-E-12-23. [Don Howell, Attorney]
Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to adjourn into Executive Session under Idaho Code §67-2345(1)(d) to consider item 6. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
Commissioner Kjellander reconvened the meeting at approximately 1:40 p.m. and the next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:
7. Don Howell's August 24, 2012 Decision Memorandum re: Joint Motion to Approve Settlement Stipulation, Case Nos. IPC-E-12-20, IPC-E-12-22, and IPC-E-12-23.
Mr. Howell reviewed his Decision Memo. There was no discussion. Commissioner Smith made a motion to accept the Stipulation and Settlement filed by the parties in these cases as it is essentially a private contract matter that has been resolved by the parties, and it is in the public interest to approve the settlement. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.8. Grace Seaman's August 24, 2012 Decision Memorandum re: 2012 Idaho Universal Service Fund Annual Report and Recommendations, Case No. GNR-T-12-07.
Ms. Seaman welcomed Alyson Anderson, Administrator of the Idaho Universal Service Fund. She then reviewed her Decision Memo. Commissioner Smith asked how long it has been since the surcharge was increased. Ms. Seaman replied that it was last increased in 2010. Commissioner Smith asked Ms. Anderson what would happen if the surcharge is not increased, and she replied that there would not be enough money and the fund would run out. Ms. Anderson stated that the fund now has about $60,000. Commissioner Smith made a motion to accept the Administrator’s and Staff’s recommendation for funding as outlined in Option 3 of the Decision Memo. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
The final order of business was FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS:
9. Deliberation re: Petition and Cross-Petition for Clarification in Grand View Solar II Order No. 32580, Case No. IPC-E-11-15. [Don Howell, Attorney]
Commissioner Kjellander stated that item 9 would be deliberated privately.
There was no further business before the Commission and Commissioner Kjellander adjourned the meeting.

_____________________________________ ______________________________ COMMISSION SECRETARY DATE OF APPROVAL

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