20220111INT to Staff 1-9.pdf

Preston N. Carter, ISB No. 8462
Givens Pursley LLP
601 W. Bannock St.
Boise,ldaho 83702
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: (208) 388-l 300
prestoncarter@ gi v enspurs le-y.com
IN THE MATTER OF INTERMOUNTAIN
GAS COMPAIIY'S APPLICATION FOR
AUTHORITY TO REVISE ITS
ELECTRONIC RECEIVER TRANSMITTER
DRIVE RATE PROGRAMMING AI\D
VERIFICATION PROCESS
,:.,.,1 -i.' i j fli{ ll: I 3
CASE NO.INT-G-21-08
RESPONSE OF INTERMOUNTAIN
GAS COMPAI\Y TO FIRST
PRODUCTION REQUEST OF THE
COMMISSION STAFF
Attorneys for Intermountain Gas Company
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
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Intermountain Gas Company ("Intermountain", "Company"), in response to the First
Production Request of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") Staff to
Intermountain Gas Company dated December 2l ,2021, submits the information below.
REQUEST NO. 1: Please provide a schedule similar to what was provided in the
Application showing the Install Meter Audits, Install Drive Rate Incorrect, 30-Day Meter Audits
and 30-day Drive Rate Incorrect by month for June 2019 to June 2021.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 1:
Please see the table below showing the Install Meter Audits, Install Drive Rate Incorrect,
30-Day Meter Audits and 30-Day Drive Rate Incorrect by month for June 2019 to June 2021.
The Company implemented the changes described in its Application in June 2021 and began
collecting Install Meter Audit data atthat time. Because the Install Meter Audits and Install
Drive Rate Incorrect data is part of the new process, the Company does not have data from
before June 2021for those items.
R-espousr oF INTERMoUNTAIN Ges CotntpeNY To FIRsr
PRooucnoN REeUEST oF THE CouvlssloN Srarr - Pacs I
Date
lnstall
Meter
Audits
lnstallDrive
Rate lncorrect
30-Day Meter
Audits
30-Day Drive
Rate lncorrect
June 2019
July 2019
August 2019
September 2019
October 2019
November 2019
December 2019
January 2020
February 2020
March 2020
April2020
May 2020
June 2020
July 2020
August 2020
September 2020
October 2020
November 2020
December 2020
January 2021
February 2021
March 2021
April2021
May 2021
June 2021
Total
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
L,758
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
232
207
294
311
5L4
484
367
20L
367
25L
276
2L8
364
1,045
736
727
L,O32
L,236
L,LI4
598
L,Ozt
7L5
790
1,936
1,986
1t
3t
.'
2
3
2
;
2
4
1
2
L,758 L7,O22
Rate 0.000%
Record Lori Blattner-208-777-6015
Sponsor/Preparer:Brett Hudson.s09-379-3938
Location: 555 S Cole Rd. Boise. ID 83707
RsSpoNsp oF INTERMoUNTAIN Gas CoTweNY To FIRST
PRopucrroN Rrquesr oF Tr{E Comassrolr Srerr - Pece 2
24
O.l$Lo/o
REQUEST NO.2: Please provide the number of one-foot drive rate meters that are
currently in service and a schedule showing when they will be replaced by two-foot drive rate
meters.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.2:
There are approximately 280,000 one-foot drive meters currently in service. As meters
are removed from service during normal operations, they will be returned to the meter shop and
will either be converted to a two-foot drive rate or retired. The Company estimates 4,000 meters
annually will be converted from one-foot drive rate to two-foot drive rate and I,500 one-foot
drive rate meters will be retired annually.
Record [.ori Blattner^208-177-601s
Sponsor/Preparer:Brett Hudson.509-379-3938
Location: 555 S Cole Rd. Boise.ID 83707
RrspoNsn oF INTERMoUNTAIN Gns Cotwauv ro FIRST
PRooucuou Rreussr oF THE Covnatsslot t Srapr - Pecr 3
REQUEST NO.3: Please provide verification that all one-foot drive rate meters in
inventory been converted to two-foot drive rate meters.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.3:
The Company began implementing its trvo-foot drive standard in June 2021, and since
that time all new inventory has been two-foot drive meters. The Company is currently working
through its one-foot drive inventory which will eventually be converted to two-foot drive meters
when they are cycled through the Meter Shop.
Record Holder: Lori Blattner. 208-377-6015
Sponsor/Preparer:Brett Hudson- 509-37 9-393 8
Location: 555 S Cole Rd. Boise. tD 83707
RpspoNse oF INTERMoUNTATN Ges Corwarw ro FIRST
PRooucnou Rpeussr oF Trm Comatsstotr Srerp - Pecp 4
REQUEST NO. 4: Please provide a diagram showing a standard meter set installation
which includes an Electronic Receiver Transmitter ("ERT").
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.4:
Please see the picture below for a representation of a standard meter set installation which
includes an ERT.
UnionMeter Bar
Regulator
ERT
Record Holder: Lori Blattner, 208-377-6015
Sponsor/Preparer:Brett Hudson, 509-379-3938
Location: 555 S Cole Rd, Boise. ID 83707
Rpspoxsp oF INTERMoUNTATN Gas CoupeNy ro Frnsr
PRooucrroN Rreussr oF THE CovurssroN SrRrp - Pacp 5
REQIIEST NO. 5: Please describe the current process for veriffing ERT drives at time
of installation, and at the 30-day audit. tf there are any differences in the two verification
processes, please explain the reason for the differences.
RESPONSE TO REQUf,ST NO.5:
There are no differences between the verification of the ERT drive rate attime of
installation versus the 30-day audit. Company employees use a handheld device, FC-300 or
Itron Mobile Radio, to perform a "check ERT" function. The programmed drive rate in the ERT
is then verified to match the physical drive rate on the meter.
Record Holder: Lori Blattner. 208-377-6015
Sponsor/Preparer: BrettHudson. 509-379-3938
Location: 555 S Cole Rd. Boise.ID 83707
RrspoNsr oF INTERMoUNTATN Ges CorweNy ro FrRST
PnooucuoN Rreursr oF Tlm ComurssroN Srarr - Pece 6
REQUEST NO. 6: Please provide a high-level process flow chart for the overall new
process from shipment at the vendor of a new meter set to the time a meter set is pulled from
service for decommissioning as envisioned by the Company. Please include all major process
steps including both value-added steps (shipping, receiving, calibrations, installation, pulls from
service, decommissioning, etc.) and quality control steps (receiving/inspection, verifications,
inspections, audits, recalibrations/reprograming, etc.). Also, please include the following:
a. For each process step, please provide a brief description and the role or job class
performing each step.
b. For the steps that are new or being changed (including the sample audit for ERT's
programmed as two-foot drives by the meter manufacturer), please provide the detailed
procedure.
c. For all quality checks, (including receiving inspection and verification at install) please
indicate if it is 100% inspection or an audit. If it is an audit, please provide the sampling plan and
from which population the sample is drawn (shipment, manufacturer, model number, date code,
etc.)?
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.6: Please see the following list of high-level steps
outlining the Company's new process of ERT drive rate programming and verification:
- Step l- Manufacturer ships meter with ERT attached and drive rate programmed to match
meter drive rate. (Manufacturer)
- Step 2- The meter shipment is transported and received at the Meter Shop in Boise.
(Meter Repair Tech)
- Step 3- The Meter Shop performs a quality control check on the accuracy and drive rate
of the meter shipment. (Meter Repair Tech) (Audit sample from shipment per sampling
plan outlined in ANSI Zl.4)
- Step 4- The meters are then transported by a third-party contractor to their inventory
warehouse. (Border States Electric)
- Step 5- The third-party contractor then transports the meters out to various district
warehouses. (Border States Electric)
- Step 6- Service Tech removes meters from district inventory and installs the meters at a
customer premise. (Service Tech)
RespoNss oF INTERMoUNTAIN Ges CoupaNy ro Ftnsr
PnopucrroN REQUEST oF THE COTTAUISSION SrAFF - PaCp 7
- Step 7- At time of installation the Service Tech verifies the drive rate programmed in the
ERT matches the physical drive rate on the meter. (Service Tech) (100% inspection)
- Step 8- The meter remains installed at the customer premise until it is removed for
various reasons by a Service Tech. (Service Tech)
- Step 9- The Service Tech transports the meter to a district warehouse. (Service Tech)
- Step l0- The meter remains at the district warehouse until the third-party contractor
transports the meters to the IGC Meter Shop. (Border States Electric)
- Step 1l- The IGC Meter Shop refurbishes or retires the meter. If the meter is refurbished
and the ERT is changed, the meter shop would program the new ERT to match the
physical drive rate on the meter. If the meter is refurbished and the ERT is not changed,
the meter shop would verify the ERT drive rate matches the physical drive rate on the
meter. (Meter Repair Tech)
- Step 12- The meters are then transported by a third-party contractor to their inventory
warehouse. (Border States Electric)
The following list shows those steps that were changed or removed with the implementation of
the new process outlined above:
- Step 7 changed from: At time of installation the Service Tech programs the drive rate in
the ERT to match the physical drive rate on the meter. (Service Tech) (100% inspection)
- Between Step 7 and Step 8 a step was removed: Within 30 days after the meter is
installed the Service Tech verifies the drive rate programmed in the ERT matches the
physicaldrive rate on the meter. (Service Tech) (100% inspection)
- Step I I changed from: The IGC Meter Shop refurbishes or retires the meter. ERT drive
rate programming is not completed in the meter shop. (Meter Repair Tech)
Record Lori Blattner )O8-177-6015
Sponsor/Preparer: BrettHudson. 509-379-3938
Location: 555 S Cole Rd. Boise. lD 83707
RpSpoNsp oF INTERMoUNTAIN Gas CoupaNY To Fnsr
PRooucnoN REquesr oF THE Couurssrox Srerp - Pacp 8
REQUEST NO. 7: For each step of the current and proposed verification process,
please answer the following:
a. How does the Company verify/certiff that training was performed and that only
certified operators perform each step?
b. How does the Company verifu that each person trained is performing the steps
properly on an ongoing basis? (i.e., does the Company verifu the operators on the job
performance?).
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO. 7:
a. The Company ensures that all its Meter Shop employees are trained by the Meter
Shop Lead or Measurement Supervisor. All Service Tech employees are trained
during Service Tech Apprentice training. Attendance sheets for Service Tech
Apprentice training verifr that training took place. Completion of the training is
communicated to both the employee and the employee's supervisor. Records of the
completed training are kept in a location that allows both the employee and
supervisor to veriff that the employee has the proper training to complete the work
assigned.
b. Results from installation audits will serve as a verification that meter shop employees
are performing the steps properly. Field and Skills Observations are performed by
Technical Training Coordinators with Service Tech apprentices before progressing
out of the apprentice phase to ensure proper performance of Service Tech
responsibilities. All pipeline safety steps require a test and reevaluation on a l-, 3-
and 5-year rotation depending on the activity. Non-safety related activities like
programing of the ERT will be more limited to a select set of experts in the meter
shop and audited in the field. These audits will indicate if training is needed for
meter shop employees.
Record Holder: Lori Blattner,208-377-6015
Sponsor/Preparer: Brett Hudson" 509-379-3938
Location: 555 S Cole Rd. Boise.ID 83707
RpspoNsp oF INTERMoUNTAIN Gas ColpaNY To Fnsr
PRooucuoN REeUEST oF THE CouvlssloN Srarr - Pace 9
REQUEST NO. 8: Please describe or provide an example of the documentation the
Company maintains for each meter set once it is received from the manufacturer until it is
removed from service (electronic or paper). Please include the role holders/job classes that
provide inputs into the documentation and the type of information recorded, especially relating to
meter set verification, calibration, and accuracy completed during quality control process steps.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.8:
When a meter is received from the manufacturer it is entered into the Company's
Customer Care and Billing system (CCB) by a Measurement Analyst. CCB then automates the
meter information into the Company's Meter Management System (MMS). CCB tracks the
installation and billing information for meters, while MMS tracks meter maintenance for the life
of the meter. A Meter Repair Tech performs meter tests in the meter shop and the results are
stored in MMS. Using the Quality Control Test Record, a Meter Repair Tech performs a quality
control check on the accuracy and drive rate of meter shipments from the manufacturer. A
Service Tech completes the Meter Install Order which shows the verification of the ERT drive
rate programming. The Meter Install Order is stored in the Company's work order management
system.
Below is an example of meter installation information stored in CCB:
Meter
lffii Ueter tO Characleristics SP lnstallation History Equlpmont Localioft Hislory Meler Tree Meter Ponal
Meter lnfo 1250 I 192226536 / 7090537 - Acflve - hstialled
Prembe ro I 17537007:l:t
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lnstall Date
Ba@e NumDet
Meter Type
Meter Status
Manuladurer
Model
sedal Number
Oate Received
Retio Reeson
0:l{,2-2017 11:1lAUrux
1250
lcttve jLl
]TRO}I'SCHLUMBEROERA}ANSAMO
1250 Q nso
703(E37
0l-1+2016 I Date Relired
Removd Dale
:l
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r:]
Below is an example of meter test records stored in MMS
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Below is an example of a Quality Control Test Record:
srTEnMourTAllrl GAs conpofirArloN
qUAUTY CONTROT TEST RECORD
METER n
loT SAiNPTE
Below is an example of a Meter Install Order:
RrspoNsp oF INTERMoLTNTAIN Gas Col,paNy ro FrRsr
PRooucuoN REeUEST oF THE CoumssroN SrAFF - Pacp I I
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Record Holder: Lori Blattner.2A8-377-6015
BrettHudson.509-379-3938
Location: 555 S ColeRd.Boise.ID 83707
RNSPONSE OF INIERMOIJNTAIN GIc,s COIyIPANY To FR.ST
PnooucuoN Reeupsr or rrrc Co]a\,flssroN Srarr - Pncr 12
REQUEST NO. 9: Does the Company flag or identiff customers with abnormal
consumption during a billing cycle? If so, please describe the Company's process to identiff the
cause of the abnormal consumption.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST NO.9:
Yes, Intermountain identifies customers with abnormal consumption during a billing
cycle and does not bill the customer until the matter is investigated. The Company's billing
system calculates an average usage for each meter as it comes up for monthly billing based on
usage history at the premise. The monthly average is then used to calculate an acceptable usage
range. Usage that is outside the range is reviewed by the billing department. The billing
department considers several factors including historical patterns, unusual weather activity, and
changes in customer behavior/equipment. If needed, a service tech will be dispatched to inspect
the meter. If the meter is found to be reporting incorrectly, then the billing department will
perform an additional review and create the necessary billing adjustment in accordance with
Commission requirements.
Record Hol Lori B ),08-777-6015
James Crrrz- 208-777-6165
Location:555 S Cole Rd.se- ID 81707
Rrspouse oF INTERMoUNTAIN Ges CoupeNY To FInsr
PRooucroN REeUEST oF THE CouulsstoN Srarr - Pacp 13
DATED: January 11,2022
GIVENS PURSLEY LLP
/A--U
Preston N. Carter
Attorneys for Intermountain Gas Company
RrSpolrIsn OF INTERMOI.JNTAIN GIs COIwHW TO FhsT
PnooucuoN Rreupsr or rr{E CoMMrssro}r Srarr -Pece 14
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certiff that on January 11,2022, a true and correct copy of INTERMOUNTAIN GAS
COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO FIRST PRODUCTION REQUEST OF THE COMMISSION
STAFF was served upon all parties of record in this proceeding via electronic mail as indicated
below:
Commission Staff
Jan Noriyuki, Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
I l33l W. Chinden Blvd., Bldg. 8, Suite 201-A
Boise,lD 83714
Via Electronic Mail
jan.noriyuki@puc. idaho.gov
taylor.brooks@puc. idaho.govTaylor R. Brooks
Deputy Attorney General
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
I l33l W. Chinden Blvd., Bldg. 8, Suite 201-A
Boise,ID 83714
Jacob Darrington
REspoNsr oF INTERMoUNTAIN Ges ColpaNY To FIRST
PRooucrroN RBeuesr oF THE ColrylssIoN Srem - Peap 15