20090615_2599.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:CO MMISSI 0 NER KEMPTON
COMMISSIONER SMITH
COMMISSIONER REDFORD
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEG AL
WORKING FILE
FROM:T J GOLO
DATE:JUNE 5, 2009
RE:APPROVAL OF RULE 12 LINE EXTENSION TARIFF
CASE NO. P AC-08-09; TARIFF ADVICE NO. 09-03.
On September 15 , 2008, the Commission received a "formal" complaint from Marian
Mathewson against Rocky Mountain Power. A summons was issued by the Commission on
November 13 2008 to Rocky Mountain Power to provide a response to Ms. Mathewson
complaint. On December 3 2008, the Company filed a response to the Commission for the
complaint. On February 25, 2009 , a workshop was held at the Commission to explore in greater
detail the issues raised in Ms. Mathewson s complaint whether the monthly facilities fee charged
in perpetuity is unfair and/or punitive. On May 6 2009, the Commission issued Order No.
30753 granting the Company s Motion to Dismiss the complaint and requiring the Company to
modify its tariff to be consistent with a facilities charge calculation that incorporates only the line
extension length that exceeds one-half mile and include language that is consistent with the
Company s policy of removing a facilities charge when an additional customer takes service
from the previously remote customer s distribution line.
On June 1 2009, the revisions for the Company s Rule 12 Line Extension tariff were
filed with an effective date of September 1 , 2009. The Staff has reviewed the proposed revisions
to the Rule 12 Line Extension tariff and finds that they comply with Order No. 30753.
Specifically, the Company added the language "The Contract Minimum Billing will not include
Facilities Charges on the first one-half mile ofline from the Company s existing distribution
facilities. Where there are groups of remote facilities only the first one-half mile is exempt from
Facilities Charges" to conform to the Commission s Order that incorporates only a facilities
charge calculation of a line extension length that exceeds the one-half mile. Similarly, the
DECISION MEMORANDUM - 1 -JUNE 5 , 2009
Company added "Primary residences with revenues equal to or greater than average residential
revenues will no longer be considered Remote when the density of such residences exceeds one
residence per one-half mile of line. Facilities Charges will cease when Customers are no longer
considered Remote" to comply with the Commission s Order that the Company include a
language that is consistent with its policy of removing a facilities charge when an additional
customer takes service from the previously remote customer s distribution line. In addition, the
Company had other minor revisions in the tariff which Staff believes those changes provide
clarification to the tariff.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff believes that Rocky Mountain Power s proposed revisions to Rule 12 Line
Extension tariff complies with the Commission directives of Order No. 30753 , and therefore
recommends that the Commission approve the revised tariff as filed by the Company.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to approve Rocky Mountain Power s revised Rule 12 Line
Extension tariff as filed with an effective date of September 1 , 2009?
rytf
i:udmemos/paceO809 decision memo
DECISION MEMORANDUM - 2 -JUNE 5 , 2009