20160412min.pdf

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IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING

April 12, 2016 – 1:30 P.M.

In attendance were Commissioners Paul Kjellander and Eric Anderson. Commissioner Kristine
Raper was absent and excused. Commissioner Kjellander called the meeting to order.

The first order of business was APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
on Monday, April 4, 2016. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes as
written.

The second order of business was approval of the CONSENT AGENDA:

2. Brandon Karpen's April 6, 2016 Decision Memorandum re: Idaho Power's Application
to Determine Prudency of 2015 DSM Expenses, Case No. IPC-E-16-03.

3. Brandon Karpen's April 7, 2016 Decision Memorandum re: Joint Stipulation and
Motion to Further Suspend Effective Date, Case No. EAG-W-15-01.

4. Curtis Thaden's April 6, 2016 Decision Memorandum re: Idaho Power Company Tariff
Advice No. 16-01 Revisions to the General Rules and Regulations Index, Schedule Index,
and Cancellation of Sheet No. 23-11.

5. Daphne Huang's April 7, 2016 Decision Memorandum re: Idaho Power's Compliance
Filing Request Following the Commission's Prior Approval for the Company to Exchange
Certain Transmission Assets with PacifiCorp, Case No. IPC-E-16-06.

6. Grace Seaman's April 7, 2016 Decision Memorandum re: Columbine Telephone
Company, Inc. dba Silver Star Communications' March 30, 2016 Tariff Advice Letter to
Revise Residential Safety Line Service Rate as Required by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC).

7. Grace Seaman's April 7, 2016 Decision Memorandum re: Inland Telephone Company's
March 22, 2016 Tariff Advice Letter to Revise the Residential Measured Service Access
Line Rate as Required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

8. Grace Seaman's April 7, 2016 Decision Memorandum re: Nexus Communications, Inc.'s
Application to Relinquish Its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation, Case No.
NCI-T-11-01.
There was no discussion and Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to approve Staff’s
recommendations for items 2 through 8 on the Consent Agenda. A vote was taken on the motion
and it carried unanimously.
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The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:
9. Maria Barratt-Riley's April 7, 2016 Decision Memorandum re: Calculating the 2016
Regulatory Fee Assessments for Public Utilities and Railroads, Case Nos. F-2016-1 and F-
2016-2.
Ms. Barratt-Riley reviewed her Decision Memo. Commissioner Kjellander asked about the
rationale for the unique item in this year’s report—i.e. the $1,000,000 Free Fund Adjustment.
Ms. Barratt-Riley explained that it is a one-time adjustment to ensure alignment with the PUC’s
revenues and appropriations. She said that with the adjustment the Commission is able to
maintain a one-year balance of cash to fund operations. She explained that due to the nature of
how assessment payments are received, which is dictated in code, the Commission receives most
of the full year of assessment fees in May, before the fiscal year starts, so the fund will be used
for expenditures throughout the year. Commissioner Kjellander asked if the $1,000,000 is tied
directly to the inquiries that have come from members of the Joint Finance and Appropriations
Committee (JFAC) over the last couple of years. Ms. Barratt-Riley replied that was correct, and
that it had been communicated to state agencies that JFAC is watching those balances to ensure
they are not growing unnecessarily, and with the calculations the PUC has in place, it can fulfill
its statutory duties related to assessments.
There were no further questions and Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to approve the
calculation of the regulatory assessment for the utilities and railroads as referenced in the
Decision Memo and accept the regulatory assessment rate for utilities and for railroads. A vote
was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
The final order of business was FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS:
10. Deliberation re: Idaho Power's Application to Approve the Transfer of Assets to the
FBI; Industrial Customers of Idaho Power's Petition for Reconsideration, Case No. IPC-E-
15-26. [Daphne Huang, Attorney]
Commissioner Kjellander stated that item 10 would be deliberated privately.
There was no further business before the Commission and Commissioner Kjellander adjourned
the meeting.

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COMMISSION SECRETARY DATE OF APPROVAL